DILG: More than 300,000 SK officials finish mandatory training

In an effort to prepare and capacitate newly-elected youth leaders, around 335,600 Sangguniang Kabataan officials have completed their nationwide mandatory training nearly two weeks after the 2018 barangay and SK elections, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Friday.

DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año said that the series of SK Mandatory Training (SKMT) for new youth leaders in 41,940 barangays started last May 17 and will end on Friday, May 25.

"With this mandatory training, our new SK officials will be properly equipped with the necessary knowledge that will enable them to perform their tasks as youth leaders in their respective barangays," Año said in a statement.

"We are hoping that that through this training, we will be able to mold a new breed of matino, mahusay, at maaasahang SK officials who will become the future leaders of our country," he added.

The Republic Act 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 mandates the DILG, National Youth Commission along with the assistance of the Development Academy of the Philippines, the Local Government Academy, and the University of the Philippines-National College of Public Administration and Governance to "jointly design and implement the SK mandatory and continuing training programs."

It also states that an "elected or appointed SK official cannot assume position unless they undergo a mandatory training."

Año said that "modules on decentralization and local governance, SK history and salient features, how to conduct meetings and craft resolutions, how to do planning and budgeting, and code of conduct and ethical standards of a public official" were taught to the new youth leaders.

Failure to attend the training without any valid reason shall be considered as an "instance of deliberate failure to attend and shall constitute sufficient ground to disqualify SK officials or subject them to disciplinary actions as per Section 27 of the SK Reform Act," said DILG spokesperson Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya.

Those who has a valid and compelling reason would be accommodated for a new training schedule subject to the availability of trainors.

These officials, however, would not be able to assume office pending completion of the SKMT. — MDM, GMA News