Event’s Tent, Rock Garden– 23 chairmen and 131 councilors from 24 barangays in Binalonan completed the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Mandatory Training to equip them with the necessary knowledge to enable them to perform their duties and tasks as the youth leaders in their respective barangays before assuming office in July.

The training, held in two batches on May 22 and 24, was conducted by the DILG in cooperation with the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO).

The training covered topics such as SK history, decentralization and local governance, meetings and crafting of resolutions, planning and budgeting and code of conduct and ethical standards for public officials and employees.

Mayor Ramon V. Guico III challenged the new SK officials to become the best of leaders representing the youth and to exude among others the core values of the town, “Maka-Diyos, Marunong and Malinis.

At the end of the training, the mayor administered the oath of office of the newly-elected SK officers.

Only 6 of the elected youth officials were not able to attend the mandatory training.

“Failure to attend the training without any valid reason shall constitute sufficient grounds to disqualify the elected officials to assume office as per Section 27 of the SK Reform Act,” said Binalonan DILG officer Norman Ramos.

Meanwhile, as LYDO head, Richard Mel Caplis will closely monitor the activities of SK officials in behalf of the Office of the Mayor as they would be exposed to subsequent trainings after assuming office.

Vice Mayor Melicio F. Patague expounded on the ethical standards of government officials and encouraged the youth’s participation in good governance.

Budget Officer David Madrid and SB secretary Janet Flores were also part of the training team along with Ramos, Caplis and Patague.