Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto is challenging the city’s newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to prove to the public that good governance is still possible in youth leadership.
Mayor Vico delivered his message to the new SK officials during an oath-taking ceremony and mandatory training sessions at Chardonnay by Astoria in Oranbo, Pasig, on Nov. 9 and 10.
“Naniniwala ako kung gagawin at gagampanan ninyo ang mga katungkulan ninyo ng maayos, tapat, mahusay, at ng masipag, naniniwala ako na nandito, hindi lang future leaders ng lungsod natin, kundi nandito ang mga kabataang lider na magpapakita na ang good governance ay posible pa (I believe that if you do and perform your duties properly, honestly, efficiently, and diligently, I believe that here are not only the future leaders of our city, but here are the young leaders who will prove that good governance is still possible),” the mayor said.
Sotto said that some people wanted to abolish the SK since it was said to only be a “training ground” for youth leaders to engage in corrupt government practices with corrupt officials “poisoning” their minds.
“Ako, naniniwala ako na mataas na mataas ang potential ninyo. The potential is there, kaso kailangan patunayan ninyo na hindi totoo ang sinasabi nila (I believe that your potential is very high. The potential is there, but you have to prove that what they are saying is not true),” he said.
“O kung totoo man sa ibang lugar o posible man na mangyari na corrupt ang kabataang lider, malalason ng barangay officials… ipakita rin ninyo na pwedeng maglingkod ang isang SK ng tapat, ng mahusay, at masipag (or if it is true in other places or if happens that a young leader is corrupt and will only be poisoned by barangay officials… then show and prove them that an SK can also serve with honesty, efficiently, and diligently),” he added.
The city mayor reminded them that being a public servant will not be easy, and urged them to commit to fulfill their duties as leaders.
He also encouraged them to be the young leaders who can begin to break the cycles of corruption, poverty, and patronage politics in the city.
Meanwhile, mandatory training was also conducted as a pre-requisite for the new SK officials before they can officially start their term, in accordance with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2023-156 of Republic Act 10742, or the SK Reform Act of 2015.
The training consists of three modules with a total of five sessions: Decentralization and Local Governance; Sangguniang Kabataan History and Salient Features; Meetings and Resolutions; Planning and Budgeting; and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards.