Mandaluyong LGU holds mandatory governance training for new SK, barangay officials
The Mandaluyong City local government held a series of mandatory trainings and seminars for its newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials as part of its efforts in instilling to them the necessary skills and knowledge needed to govern their respective constituents.

(Photo from Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos)
Mandaluyong City Mayor Ben Abalos stressed that the officials must undergo the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Grassroots Renewal and Empowerment for Accountable and Transparent (GREAT) Barangays Program as they are considered the grassroots level of the government and hold the big responsibility of being the most accessible public servants of the local government.
The said trainings tackle topics such as public service planning, budgeting, and the establishment of guidelines and protocols necessary for the implementation of their current and future projects.
For her part, Mandaluyong City Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos reminded the SK officials to be ingenious and innovative in creating their respective programs and initiatives for the Mandaleño youth.
"Mag isip ng iba pang mga programa maliban sa basketball, halimbawa pagkakaroon ng database ng bawat bata (PWD, teenage mothers, out-of-school youth, etc.) para magkaroon ng mas maayos na programa. Looking forward ako sa inyong mga creative and innovative projects (Think of other programs other than basketball matches. For example, create a database for each child of the city including youth PWDs, teenage mothers, out-of-school youth, and other youth sectors of Mandaluyong for you to be able to have more effective programs. I'm looking forward to your creative and innovative projects)," Abalos said.
"Two years is too short. Make the most out of it. Kayo ang magiging boses ng kabataan. Iparamdam ninyo na nandyan kayo para sakanila (You will be the voice of the youth. Make them feel that your are really there for them)," she added.
The city government had earlier led the oath-taking of its elected barangay and SK officials at the Mandaluyong College of Science and Technology (MCST) Gymnasium.
According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), there are 16 incumbent barangay captains who have retained their position while 11 are newly elected captains.