Vacant SK post must be filled in by march 31

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Iloilo City director Atty. Ferdinand Panes again reminded all chairpersons of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) with vacant posts to conduct special elections before the deadline on March 31, 2019.

According to Panes, only 2 of the 75 barangays with incomplete SK officials have submitted their schedules for the Special Elections.

“Two of almost 75 barangays naka-pass sang ila schedule for Special Elections but tani mag-submit sila early para ma-map out namon ang schedule,” he said.

The SK is composed of a chairperson and seven members.

Panes said other SK officials are currently preparing for their budget allocation this year, including documents and forms that needs to be attached.

“Gahimo sila subong and ga-prepare sang ila budget allocation plus forms so timing gid na ma-conduct nila ila special elections sa March and I presume mahuman nila ila nga budget,” he said.

He emphasized that the budgets of incomplete SKs will not be reviewed.

“Biskan isa lang kulang gina-encourage gid namon. Biskan isa lang kulang conduct gid sila special elections. Amo na gina-strongly advise nga ma-conduct sila. Karon kon sagi lang kami accommodate sang ila papeles despite the fact nga wala sila ga-comply, useless amon opisina,” he stressed.

On Jan 3, 2018, Panes issued a memorandum mandating barangay leaders and SK chairpersons to fill up their vacancies.

The memorandum also stated that the 2018 SK Plans and budgets shall only be subjected to technical review by the DILG office and the Local Youth and Development Office (LYDO) upon proof of compliance with the special elections.

Meanwhile, Panes added that they are still waiting for an executive order (EO) to be issued by the mayor as regards the guidelines on the review of the budget and the needed requirements that must be submitted by the SK chairs.

“Gahulat pa kami sang Executive Order nga pirmahan ni mayor nga gindraft namon sa proseso sang pagreview kag kon ano ang mga dokumento nga dapat isubmit sang SK Chairman para mareview ila nga budget,” he noted.

Recently, DILG said that more than 300 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) positions in 75 barangays of Iloilo City remain vacant.