Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. called on Wednesday, Nov. 22, the newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders to be instruments of good governance in performing their mandate as public service at a young age.

He issued the reminder as the mandatory training for the newly-minted Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) is nearing 100 percent completion.

“Along with the key skills and responsibilities that you’ve learned during the training, pinakaimportante ang pagtupad sa mga ipinangako ninyo noong kayo ay nangangampanya. You have to walk the talk (what is most important is to keep the promises you made when you were still campaigning),’’ Abalos said.

Abalos asserted this as the National Youth Commission (NYC) was about to wrap up the mandatory training of the SK officials.

The DILG chief insisted “that the lessons that the SK officials learned during the training must inspire them to lean towards good governance as they build the bedrock of our country’s future.”

“The quality of our young leaders today shall determine the kind of leaders that they will be tomorrow. Habang maaga, piliin ninyo ang maayos at tapat na klase ng pamamahala (At this early stage, take the path of the righteous and honest way of governance),’’ he added.

The SK mandatory training, pursuant to Section 28 of Republic Act 11768, serves as a comprehensive knowledge and skill orientation for newly elected SK officials and jointly administered by the DILG and NYC. 

The training encompasses five key sessions, covering topics such as Decentralization and Local Governance, SK History and Salient Features, Meetings and Resolutions, Planning and Budgeting, and Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards.

“Incumbent SK officials shall also attend the continuing training programs prepared by the NYC and its partner agencies, which will offer more comprehensive training and capacity development activities to build competencies necessary for effective SK leadership,’’ the DILG stated.

Under the same provision, Abalos said that failure to comply in either mandatory or continuing training programs shall constitute sufficient grounds to disqualify the derelict SK officials or subject them to disciplinary actions. 

Likewise, Abalos commended the NYC for expeditiously fulfilling its mandate in ensuring full compliance from the elective youth officials of cities and municipalities all over the country.

“Closing in on almost a hundred percent within just two weeks after the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) is truly a remarkable achievement,” he noted. 

Following full completion, the DILG revealed that a separate mandatory bookkeeping training is being developed to be administered by TESDA to SK-appointed treasurers, in compliance with the new guidelines set for the qualifications of SK secretaries and treasurers.