Around 90 fourth-year public administration students from the Bicol University — Jesse M. Robredo Institute of Governance and Development visited Pasig City on Thursday, Nov. 10, to embark on a benchmarking study tour.

City officials warmly welcomed the students and their teachers, showing them the various offices and departments within and outside the premises of the Pasig City Hall.

They were oriented on the city’s best practices, particularly on its Freedom of Information policies.

The students also learned about the “five priority thrusts'' of the incumbent administration. These pertain to universal healthcare for all, socialized housing, inclusive education, efficient social services, and internal housekeeping or governance.

They also had the opportunity to meet and converse with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, and some members of the 11th City Council at the Pasig Session Hall.

The study tour aimed to immerse the young students in the practical, on-the-ground operations that a local government regularly conducts.

As pupils who chose to specialize in public administration, the activity served as a “behind-the-scenes” peek for those who wish to pursue a career path in local governance in the future after they conclude their undergraduate studies.

Sotto, himself, has been lauded as a “youth leader,” being the youngest elected chief executive of Pasig City.

As such, Sotto has previously voiced his support for aspiring youth leaders, advising them to prioritize preparedness in both the theoretical and practical approaches to governance, and to strengthen mutual collaboration especially with like-minded individuals.

The local government has implemented programs and policies in nurturing leadership in the youth such as the continuous improvement of the quality of education in Pasig public schools through the expansion of scholarship programs, partnerships with colleges and organizations, and promotion of reading literacy to elementary school children via the Home Reading Library project.