MANILA — All elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials should undergo a crash course on government financial system, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte proposed on Saturday.
In a statement, Belmonte said the course on financial management “should have been a requirement for all elected SK officials since they will be handling government funds and properties”.
“They should have trainings on proper accounting and financial management and administration, including pertinent laws. They should really know how to enter into contracts and use government funds properly,” she said.
Belmonte added that knowledge on government financial system would keep them from being dictated by their elder counterparts in the SK council.
“Para ‘di rin sila nadidiktahan ng matatanda (So that they don’t get dictated by the elders too),” she said.
Belmonte said it is also imperative “that the value of accountability and transparency must be inculcated to the minds of the young leaders”.
Belmonte said SK officials should also learn the value of accountability and transparency, citing problems hounding the youth council including corruption, nepotism and absenteeism.
She said she will support continued government efforts to revitalize SK as a viable force for youth development, service, and participation.
“Sa mga kabataan (To the youth), we really have to work on their idealism and to the barangay officials, they should really set a good example to these youth leaders,” she said.
Belmonte stressed that the youth council should be given a set of “project menu” that lists down specific projects they could implement in order to avoid repetitive projects and programs.
“It should be about youth development, entrepreneurship, values formation, and even anti-drugs. ‘Di ‘yung kung anu-ano lang na walang (Not just any project without) relevance,” she said.
In 2010, Jane Cajes, former SK National Federation (SKNF) president, faced corruption charges filed by two youth groups over lack of transparency in SK finances.
Cajes was also accused of failing to liquidate over PHP93 million in SKNF funds, and “lavish display of wealth” that allegedly included expenses for branded clothes and cosmetic surgery. (Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA)
