Over 300,000 newly-elected SK leaders to assume post

OVER 300,000 newlyelected Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) officials who finished the SK Mandatory Training (SKMT) conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National Youth Commission (NYC) will assume their post on June 30.

DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said Friday, May 25, that 335,600 newly-elected SK leaders from 41,940 barangays nationwide finished the SKMT, which started on May 17. The training ended Friday, May 25.

The DILG’s Local Government Academy partnered with various local resource institutes from across the country for the SKMT, which aims to prepare and capacitate newly-elected officials in performing their r ol es.

"With this mandatory training, our new SK officials will be properly equipped with the necessary knowledge that will enable them to perform their tasks as youth leaders in their respective barangays," Año sai d.

"We are hoping that that through this training, we will be able to mold a new breed of matino, mahusay, at maaasahang SK officials who will become the future leaders of our country," he added.

Based on Republic Act 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act of 2015, an elected or appointed SK official cannot assume position unless he or she undergoes a mandatory training, which covers modules on decentralization and local governance, SK history and salient features, how to conduct meetings and craft resolutions, how to do planning and budgeting, and the code of conduct and ethical standards of a public official.

DILG spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said those who failed to attend or finish the training without any valid reason will not be able to assume post and their case will also be deliberated. It may also constitute as sufficient ground for their disqualification or subject them to disciplinary actions as per Section 27 of the SK Reform Act, he added.

“We held the mandatory training to ensure that all new youth leaders are wellprepared and wellequipped before they actually assume their challenging roles as SK officials in their respective barangays,” he said.

Malaya said that only those with valid and compelling reasons for failing to attend the course will be considered for a new training schedule subject to the availability of trainers.

He said they will not be able to assume post for the meantime. (SunStar Philippines)