Sucat Barangay Captain Rafael Sevilla assured his constituents that while lifelong assistance might not be feasible, he and his colleagues in the office are committed to public service.
In an interview during DAILY TRIBUNE's digital show "Spotlight", Sevilla said he dreams of exploring opportunities for his fellowmen.
"I frequently find myself dreaming, I have a penchant for it. In fact, one of the reasons I'm here is because I dream of exploring opportunities. So, I envision that in our partnership, we address specific issues to determine how we can further explore them because we're unable to offer lifelong assistance. Absolutely not, right? So, it's not feasible. Even if we make promises, they can't be taken as truth. What we truly need is to commit to how we will provide assistance," Sevilla said.
The village head emphasizes the wellness of their constituents as part of their program, organizing Zumba sessions stating that Barangay Sucat is the Zumba capital of Muntinlupa.
"Barangay Sucat holds the title of being the Zumba capital of Muntinlupa. We have the highest number of Zumba groups, if I'm not mistaken, seven, right? We host seven Zumba groups, which is the largest count, as we extend assistance to all these groups for their Zumba instructors' payments,"
"They register in a way that they are creating and establishing an organization. Then, we provide assistance for their payment to the instructor. They focus on physical fitness and wellness, and instead of sitting for hours, they have reduced some time because they engage in Zumba," Sevilla said.
Apart from organizing Zumba sessions, Sevilla stressed that they also promote sports to the youth through the leadership of their Sangguniang Kabataan officers.
"In terms of sports, our Sangguniang Kabataan officials take the lead. They are the frontrunners. We used to have a program before the pandemic called 'Gabay-Bata,' where we engaged with children. From three to seven, we held film showings on the streets. I had staff and personnel conversing with them, and there were lectures. If their balloon made noise, it would be popped, and they wouldn't receive a loot bag. During the pandemic, I considered bringing it back. I'll assess if I can reinstate it this coming year because it's a significant aspect of children's development. Understanding the Barangay is crucial for them," the barangay captain added that he aims to engage with students in their barangay, helping them envision their future role within the community.
"For the upcoming year, I also aim to converse with students capable of understanding. I want to create a program for them to see and comprehend the Barangay, its leadership, capabilities, limitations—so they can envision their role in the future,"
