North Cotabato, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) initiated a comprehensive training program for 3,480 newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials across North Cotabato province, with the first 272 having recently completed the course.
According to Philippines News Agency, the training started on Monday with Matalam town's newly-elected SK officials, who underwent a three-day workshop. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the DILG, the Provincial Governor's Office-Provincial Youth Development Division, and the local government. The workshop was designed to imbue the young officials with the necessary knowledge and skills to serve their communities effectively.
Abdullah outlined the training's curriculum, which includes topics on decentralization and local governance, the history and important features of the SK, processes for conducting meetings and resolutions, planning and budgeting, as well as the code of conduct and ethical standards for public servants.
The newly-elected officials are expected to apply this training to perform their duties efficiently. North Cotabato, a province that incorporates a city and 17 municipalities with 480 barangays, is undergoing this developmental program to ensure that its young leaders are well-prepared for governance. The recent realignment of 36 villages from the province to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao does not affect the current training's coverage.
Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza has backed the DILG's training efforts, highlighting the importance of equipping young leaders with the skills to enact meaningful legislation and create impactful initiatives for the youth of North Cotabato. She affirmed the provincial government's commitment to collaborating with SK officials to guarantee equitable and enhanced opportunities for the youth of the region.
The training for the newly-elected SK officials is part of an ongoing series of workshops, signifying a step forward in the local government's investment in the potential of young leaders within the province.