ILOILO CITY — Recently-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officers in the province of Iloilo should “maximize their energy” to better serve their fellow youth.
Teodora Sumagaysay, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) office in Iloilo, said Friday the public has “big expectations” on the youth leaders as they are the “catalyst for change and hope of the fatherland.”
“They should be committed, give justice to the positions given to them and the mandate given to them,” she said.
Prior to the dissolution of the SK last 2010, Sumagaysay said the youth leaders in the province are “very visible, effective and efficient” and they have also implemented a number of projects.
Sumagaysay’s reminder came following the successful election of the SK Federation in the province last June 13.
Ma. Angelica Bianca Requinto, 21, of Barangay Poblacion Zone II in Estancia, Iloilo was elected as SK Federation President for the province last Wednesday.
Vice President is Bryan Eric Cerebo; Secretary, Niel Joshua Raymundo; Treasurer, Benny Espinosa; Auditor, Gilmarie Joyce Linga; Public Relations Officer, Napholion Facunla; and Sergeant-at-Arms, Joebert Edison Velasco.
These officers were all unopposed during the election, she said.
Requinto will automatically have a seat at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as chairman of the committee on youth and sports development, Sumagaysay said, adding that there may be additional committee chairmanship and membership that may be given to her depending on the decision of other SP members.
In a previous interview with Requinto, she said she would push for the creation of the Local Youth Development Office in all municipalities and work on providing livelihood opportunities, especially to the out-of-school youth in the province.
She added that she will also campaign against illegal drugs among youth and teenage pregnancy.
Sumagaysay said the role and responsibilities of the other youth leaders are stated in Republic Act No. 10742, or the “Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015”. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
