INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday reminded newly proclaimed Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to avoid choosing relatives as their secretaries and treasurers to protect their credibility.
DILG chief Benjamin Abalos Jr. said he issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 2023-167 stating hired officers “must not be within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national, regional, provincial, city, municipal or barangay official in the locality where he seeks to be appointed.”
“This appointment will mirror the SK officials’ credibility and shall be a precedent to their leadership,” he said in a statement on Tuesday.
“Kaya mahalagang simulan nila ito [appointment] nang tama. Bawal ang kamag-anak system sa pag-appoint ng SK secretary at treasurer,” he added.
(That’s why starting by appointing the right people is important. Nepotism should not be practiced in appointing SK secretaries and treasurers.)
The new circular supplants the agency’s MC No. 2018-131 or the initial guidelines for appointing SK officers, dated August 15, 2018.
Abalos likewise said that SK officials must choose qualified secretaries and treasurers within 60 days of their assumption of office under the MC.
Individuals eligible for this appointment should be “a resident of the barangay for not less than one year; able to read and write Filipino, English, or the local dialect; and must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude.”
They should also have an educational background in business administration, accountancy, finance, economics, or bookkeeping.
Before they assume office, Abalos also reminded SK officials that their officers must undergo training programs and mandatory bookkeeping training from and be duly certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.