SK execs told to exercise independence

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Central Visayas has called on newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to exercise independence and stand by their own principles to avoid being influenced by older politicians.

“They should be firm on their principles and values. They should not be influenced. They should decide well on what is right from wrong,” said lawyer Ian Kenneth Lucero of DILG-7.

As government officials, he said, SKs are accountable for their actions.

Currently, SK officials are undergoing the mandatory trainings in preparation for their assumption to office on June 30.

Among the training modules are the decentralization and local governance, planning and budgeting, and code of conduct and ethical standards.

He said SK officials are given independence on managing their finances like disbursing of funds.

Moreover, Lucero advised the young officials to familiarize the existing laws for them to be guided accordingly to avoid future problems and other legal implications.

“But the thing is they should follow what is prescribed under the law. They should follow the policies and regulations to avoid any issues. Because once we deviate from the law, that becomes a problem,” said Lucero.

Among the common concerns is in the procurement, which Lucero said is a “breeding source of corruption.”

He stressed that officials in the grassroots level carry an important role since they serve as a frontline in giving the basic services and programs to their constituents, as well as resolve issues and problems.

With the introduction of Republic Act 10742 or the "Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015," Lucero hopes that there would be changes in local governance.

Miasco/KBQ