Delay in release of guidelines affecting SK programs

THE Sangguniang Kabataan Federation in Iloilo province is awaiting the Department of Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) guidelines on SK financial transactions.

Iloilo SK Federation President and Board Member Ma. Angelica Bianca Requinto said the lack of guidelines affects the implementation of programs and activities by the youth sector body.

Requinto said that the SK still follows the old procedure wherein the village chief must sign every financial document pertaining to the disbursement of SK money, which is sourced from the general fund of the barangay.

SK Federation presidents passed during the 12th National Youth Parliament a resolution asking concerned agencies to hasten the issuance of the guidelines.

Requinto said they seek financial independence so that they can implement projects without relying to much on elder leaders.

During the SK National Summit, the DILG already assured that the guidelines would be released before the year ends, Requinto said.

COMMENDABLE
Requinto said she continues to push for policies that will benefit SK officials.

Requinto’s youth bill entitled “An Act institutionalizing the Benefits and Privileges of Sangguniang Kabataan Officials in Addition to the Provisions of Republic Act No. 10742, otherwise Known as the SK Reform Law” was among the top 10 recognized bills during the 12th National Youth Parliament.

The bill seeks to exempt an SK official from taking National Service Training Program-Civic Welfare Training Service (NSTP-CWTS); become Civil Service-eligible after his or her term; be included in the PhilHealth coverage by the national government; and be granted honoraria.

It intends to strengthen the existing SK Reform Law, Requinto added.

SK CONGRESS
The concerns on financial transactions and SK officials’ benefits, among others, will be tackled in the SK Provincial Congress starting today, Dec 1 until Dec 3, 2018.

Plenary sessions and youth forums will be conducted to address the matters on health, global mobility, active citizenship, economic empowerment, and education. (Gail T. Momblan.)

Source of news: The Daily Guardian.
Source of photo: Politiko Visayas