BALON DAGUPAN NEWS

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government, in partnership with the National Youth Commission, Local Government Academy, and the Lyceum-Northwestern University, conducted a mandatory training for 248 Sangguniang Kabataan officials at Hotel LeDuc in Dagupan City on May 16.

Dagupan is the first city to hold the training now being held simultaneously nationwide on May 16 to 26. The seminar is geared to orient and prepare the city’s newly elected SK officials for their responsibilities before starting their term on June 30, along with all the elected barangay officials.

Five modules were prepared for the SK officials’ continuing education, including the Sanggunian’s History and its salient features, Decentralization and Local Governance and Republic Act 6173 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The youth elected to office were also trained on how to properly plan, budget, conduct meetings and craft resolutions and ordinances.

The training’s initiative is in line with the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 or RA 10742 which aims to establish adequate, effective, responsive and enabling mechanisms and support systems that will ensure the meaningful participation of the youth in local governance and in nation-building.

DILG Dagupan City Director Melinda Buada disclosed the need to prepare SK officials as they would provide new perspectives and input in the government.

“The SK officials will be a big help in the implementation of projects as the youth are very active. They have a lot of ideas that can be adopted by the city government. This is why we want our officials to be capable, sensible and reliable as they will contribute to the development of their barangays and the city of Dagupan.” said Buada.

Meanwhile, Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, in her message, urged the young officials to be faithful to their responsibilities to the people, saying: “The city of Dagupan expects so much from you. Please do not fail your constituents. Do not forget the promises you made.”

With Dagupan City consistently lauded as the region’s most child-friendly city through the local government’s continued efforts, Fernandez said that she hopes that the SK officials will be able to replicate and continue the path that the local government has paved for the development of youth programs.

“Being a child-friendly city is more than a tag or a recognition—it means we live as a community that is sensitive to what makes young people happy, safe and healthy. Your city has extensive programs in health, in education, in livelihood training and I believe that as SK officials, you are now in the best position to continue advocating these programs because you represent the most important and dynamic niche in our society.” said Fernandez.

Corollary to this, Fernandez also expressed her support for the newly-elected and re-elected barangay officials who won in their respective electoral races, saying: “Pinakamaganda po ngayon ay umpisa. Umpisa ulit papunta sa Balon Dagupan at sana’y magtulungan po tayo kasi iisa lang naman ang hangarin natin. Sana makapagbigay tayo ng serbisyo sa mga taumbayan. Ibalik natin sa kanila ang pagmamahal na ipinakita sa inyo.” (Verdelle De Vera/CIO)

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