TABUK CITY, Kalinga – Newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials of the 43 barangays took their oath of office in a mass oath-taking ceremony at the Tabuk people’s gym today, Nov. 6, in the presence of employees and officials of the city government.
Acting Mayor Dick Bal-o administered the oath of office to the officials, urging them to abide by the words of their pledge.
“Let your pledge be your hope and light as you face a lot of temptations and challenges in your term as barangay and SK officials,” he said in his message.
“Memorize, conceptualize, and always act and decide based on your oath of office and I will assure the success of your administration, thereby, leading to the success of your respective barangays and our beloved city of Tabuk,” Acting Mayor Bal-o added.
The winning candidates have three weeks to assume their positions, City Local Government Operations Officer (CLGOO) Helen Lacuesta said. During this transition period, outgoing barangay and SK officials must turn over barangay properties, SK properties, financial records, documents and properties, and money accountabilities to the incoming officials.
Additionally, winning SK candidates must undergo a mandatory five-day training period that the Local Youth Development Council will conduct before they can officially assume their post, the CLGOO said.
All candidates – whether winners or losers – are required to file their statement of all contributions and expenditures or SOCE with the Commission on Elections by Nov. 29 where said document details their expenses and the names of their donors during the election period.
Lacuesta said winning candidates who were not able to attend today’s oath-taking will take their oath before their respective punong barangays.
Among the 43 winning punong barangays, 23 are re-elected, while, in the SK elections, eight barangays had SK chairpersons who were unopposed while six barangays have an incomplete set of SK kagawads. A special election will be held for the latter, CLGOO Lacuesta said.