Valenzuela City Mayor Weslie "Wes" Gatchalian and Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri led the oath-taking of 528 elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to formally start their service to the residents in the city on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
The elected village officials swore in as the leaders of the city's 33 villages at the WES Arena in Barangay Punturin.
Senator Sherwin "Win" Gatchalian, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rexlon "Rex" Gatchalian, Valenzuela City Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja, District 2 Representative Eric Martinez, the city councilors, and Valenzuela residents were present at the event.
“Lahat ng mga ginagawa natin — ang mga magagandang programang nakagisnan natin sa ating mahal na Lungsod; ito ay collaborative effort. Hindi lamang ang mayor ang magaling sa paglilingkod; importanteng-importante po ang partnership at cooperation ng ating Liga, mga barangay, ang SK, at ang ating City Council," the mayor said.
The national and local government officials also shared messages of encouragement to incoming Barangay and SK officers and emphasized what it takes to be a public servant.
DSWD Secretary Gatchalian also reminded the elected BSKE officials not to undermine their two-year term (730 days) and use the days of service to make a difference in the lives of the residents.
For his part, Zubiri focused on the assistance of the Senate for the development of the village in terms of policy-making.
On Monday, Nov. 13, the newly elected SK officials underwent a tedious seminar and training focused on discussing the meaning of becoming a public servant, wherein they tackled several topics including their roles and responsibilities, budget allocation, prioritization, among others.
The city government said the training aims to assess the incoming officials and prepare them for their responsibilities before beginning to work.
It added that the elected village officials can assume office after the oath-taking ceremony as long as the proper turnover of property accountability of their respective barangays is secured.