Manila – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. has called on newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to serve as exemplars of good governance. This reminder comes as the mandatory training for these youth officials nears completion nationwide.
According to Philippines News Agency, Abalos emphasized the importance of fulfilling campaign promises and applying the lessons learned during the training to lead towards good governance and societal development. The SK mandatory training, as stipulated under Republic Act 11768 or the SK Reform Act of 2015, is designed to equip newly elected youth officials with comprehensive knowledge and skills. The training, jointly administered by the DILG and the National Youth Commission (NYC), covers 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. Following this training, a separate mandatory bookkeeping training for appointed SK treasurers is being developed by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, in line with new DILG guidelines on the qualifications of SK secretaries and treasurers. Secretary Abalos's message underscores the DILG's commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and fostering a culture of ethical and effective governance among the youth.