ANTIQUE – The elected officials of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in Antique province have been called to complete a compulsory training program by November 14, as a prerequisite for assuming their positions after the recent local youth elections.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Antique SK Provincial Federation president, in an interview on Monday, no SK officials from the province's 18 municipalities have yet requested to undertake the SK Mandatory Training (SKMT) since the October 30 Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE). Canja urged the SK officials to arrange for their participation in the SKMT promptly, highlighting its necessity for them to officially take office.
The training, which was previously facilitated by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the National Youth Commission (NYC), will this year be conducted locally by the Antique Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO) and its municipal counterparts. This move aims to make the training more accessible to the SK officials throughout the province.
Canja emphasized the training's role in educating the new youth officials on various aspects, including the history of SK, effective planning and budgeting, conducting meetings, crafting resolutions, adhering to a code of conduct, and understanding decentralization and local governance. He pointed out that the training would help the SK officials understand their roles and assist them in prioritizing projects for their development funds.
The SKMT, a requirement under Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act, is critical in preparing the officials for their responsibilities in managing the 10-percent development fund allocated for youth development projects. Following the completion of the SKMT, SK officials from the 590 barangays of Antique are scheduled to conduct their elections for municipal SK positions on November 15 and subsequently for the provincial federation.