The Pasig City local government lauded two barangay youth councils for their exemplary achievements which were recognized at the 4th Philippine Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Awards last June 11 to 12 in Iloilo City.
During a brief ceremony on Monday, June 19, city government officials conferred certificates to the SK officers of Barangays Maybunga and Santolan, whose projects and programs won among the 483 entries of various SKs and Local Youth Development Offices (LYDOs) across the country.
SK Maybunga won two awards, namely, for “Most Outstanding SK Project,” citing their EcoChallenge program, and a “National Finalist for Most Outstanding SK Project” for the Abot Kamay initiative.
SK Santolan brought home the “National Outstanding SK Council Barangay Award,” and two awards for the “National Finalist for Most Outstanding SK Projects,” namely the SK Youth Emergency Response Team and the “Kabuhayan para sa Kapwa ko Kabataan” program.
Pasig PIO / MANILA BULLETIN
“Ang bawat tropeyo at sertipikong ating natanggap ay para sa bawat Kabataang Maybungueños na kasama natin sa bawat programa nitong nagdaang 5 taon, na kaakibat natin sa pagsigurado ng maayos na pamamahala at konsultasyon, at lahat ng katuwang natin sa paninilbihan upang makapagbigay ng progresibo at sustainable na mga programa (Each trophy and certificate that we received is for each young Maybungueño who supported us in each of our programs these past five years, who are our allies in ensuring good governance and consultation and providing progressive and sustainable programs),” SK Maybunga said in a social media post.
“Ito po ay para sa lahat ng nakiisa, nakialam at tumulong sa ating barangay ng walang hinihintay na kapalit. Ito po ay panalo ng mga kabataang araw-araw lumalaban para maabot ang kanilang mga pangarap. Alay natin ito sa lahat ng patuloy na naniniwala na kabataan pa rin ang pag-asa ng bayan (This is for all who have unconditionally united, acted, and helped in our barangay. This is a win for the youth who fight everyday to achieve their dreams. We offer our achievements to those who still believe that the youth is the hope of our nation),” SK Santolan said on their social media page.
Pasig PIO / MANILA BULLETIN
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto expressed his support for the SKs of Maybunga and Santolan, noting how they are two of the most “high performing” youth councils in the city.
He asked the incumbent SK officials and the LYDO to assist and guide the new set of officers who will be elected to continue the groups’ programs and initiatives.
The mayor noted that the current SK officials were the first batch to operate under Republic Act (RA) No. 10742 or the “SK Reform Act of 2015,” and RA No. 11768, referring to amendments to the reform act.
Difficulties were faced by the SKs regarding concerns on opening bank accounts for the council and the passage of the councils’ budget, he stressed. However, with their cooperation, the future SKs will be able to function and operate in a smoother capacity.
“Sigurado naman akong maaasahan kayo pagdating ng transition period. Tulungan natin ang mga incoming SKs (I’m sure we can rely on you this coming transition period. Let’s help our incoming SKs),” Sotto said.
The mayor also clarified that upon communicating with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the budgets for the barangay and SKs can be approved simultaneously.
Unlike previous protocol which required the passage of the barangay budgets before the SK budgets, the City Council can now approve the budgets of SKs even before the barangays' budget.