TUGUEGARAO CITY — At least 48 newly-elected Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairmen and hundreds of SK Kagawad officials took their oath of office at the Valley Hotel in Peñablanca, Cagayan on Saturday.
City Mayor Jefferson Soriano, who administered the oath-taking, said the city had long been waiting for the election of SK officials, citing their problem whenever they need to tap youth groups for the city’s programs and projects.
The mayor also welcomed the officials in the field of public service, reminding them to go “above politics.”
The new SK law had been crafted to curb instances where politicians use the SK to advance their political interests. The practice gained the SK the tag “breeding ground for corruption and political dynasties.”
“Forget politics. Serve your preference, because when you serve your barangay, you serve your beloved city,” Soriano said.
Soriano said he will request the city council to allot at least PHP1 million from the city’s supplemental budget for the SK.
He also urged them to unite the youth in their barangays so they can “fully” serve their constituents.
Ahead of the election for the SK federation president, Soriano said he wanted the SK to head the barangay councils’ committee on environment.
“Because for a long, long time, you will inherit Tuguegarao. One among you will become mayor, one among you will become vice mayor, or councilor, congressman, and governor. As early as now, you make Tuguegarao beautiful,” he said. (Simeon Dilan/PNA)
