ILOILO City – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6 has reminded all barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) officials elected on Oct. 30, 2023 to follow the requisites before assuming the post.
On Sunday, Nov. 5, the DILG-6, headed by director Juan Jovian E. Ingeniero, reiterated the contents of Memorandum Circular No. 2023-166 or Guidance on the assumption of office and other relevant directives issued by DILG secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Oct. 31.
“The Supreme Court ruled that the sitting BSK officials shall continue to hold office until their successor shall have been elected and qualified,” read part of the memorandum circular.
“If the candidate obtained the highest number of votes among the remaining candidates for the same position in the same barangay and later on proclaimed and subsequently took his or her oath of office, the said candidate, now referred to as the winning candidate and/or newly-elected officials, may immediately and effectively assume office,” added in the circular.
Any SK official, whether elected or appointed or any member of the Local Youth Development Council (LYDC) must undergo the mandatory training programs before she/he can assume office.
Requisites before incoming barangay officials can assume office:
* Proclamation Certificate from the Commission on Elections (Comelec)
* Oath of Office
* Certificate of Mandatory Training (for newly-elected SK officials only)
Obligation of City and Municipal Mayors
* Enjoin the winning candidates/newly-elected SK officials to attend the SK mandatory training before they assume office
* Direct the sitting/outgoing barangay and SK officials to fast-track the conduct of the final inventory of the barangay and SK properties, financial records, documents and properties (PFRDs) and money accountabilities.
* Ensure that barangay and SK PFRDs and money accountabilities are inventoried by the City/Municipal Assessment and Transition Team (C/MATT) and turned over to the newly elected BSK officials
* Direct the city/municipality accountant as the chairperson of the C/MATT to coordinate and collaborate with the DILG city director or the C/MLGOO concerned and other members of the C/MATT
* Give priority to the conduct of the final inventory and submission of the accomplished Barangay and SK Inventory and Turnover Form No. 2 by the Barangay Inventory Team (BIT) and SK Inventory Team (SKIT) and the conduct of assessment/inventory by the C/MATT, within three weeks from the proclamation
* Conduct the final assessment/inventory of the barangay and SK PFRDs and money accountabilities
For newly–elected Barangay and SK Officials
* Comply with the requirement under Section 14 of Republic Act No. 7166 to file in duplicate with the Comelec the full, true and itemized statement of all statements of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) within 30 days after the day of the election.
* Coordinate with the outgoing punong barangay or C/MATT to get the schedule of the turnover ceremony.
* Validate the list (Barangay Inventory and Turnover Form No. 2) of the barangay PFRDs and money accountabilities and the actual physical count of the properties. Finances are to be turned over by the outgoing barangay officials.
* Sign Form 2
For SK Officials
* Comply with the requirement under Section 14 of Republic Act No. 7166 to file in duplicate with the Comelec the full, true and itemized statement of all SOCEs within 30 days after the day of the election.
* Attend the mandatory training and obtain a copy of the Certificate of Completion of the mandatory training.
* Attend the Pederasyon Elections, in the case of the newly-elected SK chairpersons
* Coordinate with the outgoing SK chairperson or C/MATT to get the schedule of the turnover ceremony.
* Validate the inventory of SK PFRDs and money accountabilities to be turned over by the outgoing SK officials.
For Outgoing Barangay and SK Officials
* Submit the final inventory of the Barangay and SK PFRDs and money accountabilities.
* Ensure turnover of all the Barangay and SK PFRDs and money accountabilities to the incoming/newly-elected BSK officials.
* When necessary and when the newly-elected officials of the barangay have not yet completely assumed office, ensure payment of recurring legitimate obligations of the barangay, particularly utility bills, salaries, and honorarium only (barangay officials/ employees) only.
“With the foregoing, there shall be a transition period not to be exceed three weeks to ensure proper and smooth transition of governance, accountability, and actual turnover of Barangay and SK PFRDs and money accountabilities and to secure/comply with the bonding requirements and other requisites under the existing laws, rules, and regulations,” said Abalos in the memorandum circular.
In Iloilo province, the DILG started conducting training for SK officials on Saturday, Nov. 4.
DILG-Iloilo first visited the towns of Tubungan and San Dionisio.
The Sangguniang Kabataan Mandatory Training (SKMT) is a requirement for SK officials and members of the LYDC before they can assume office, pursuant to Section 28 of Republic Act 10742.
The training includes three modules, which will be divided into five sessions with topics on:
* Decentralization and local governance
* SK history and salient features
* Meetings and resolutions
* Planning and budgeting
* Code of conduct and ethical standards
The rest of the 41 local government units are scheduled to conduct the SKMT before Nov. 15.
In Iloilo City, the first batch of city-wide SKMT will be held on Friday, Nov. 10.
It will be led by DILG city director Oscar Lim Jr.; Jsrah Parcia, training manager; SK Federation president Leila Luntao, LGOO V; and SKMT focal person Marijo J. Patrimonio./PN
