BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance granting financial assistance to all Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) kagawads, treasurers and secretaries in the city, defining the procedures and providing funds for the purpose.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Levy Lloyd Orcales stated that the local government recognizes the just share of all SK officials in the aggressive promotion of youth empowerment, and towards the said end, it fully supports the activities and endeavors of the SK.
The ordinance added that all SK kagawads, treasurers and secretaries in the city shall receive a monthly financial assistance in the amount of P1,500, provided that, they shall actively participate in the activities of the various organizations, specifically the City and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils, Barangay Council for the protection of Children (BCPC) or the City Anti-Graffiti Task Force.
In order to be entitled to receive the financial assistance from the local government, the ordinance stipulated that a SK official shall have participated in the various activities of the aforesaid organizations or the conduct of activities in relation to the main function of the said organizations, however, the SK official can also participate in various youth-led and youth-related projects, programs and activities, provided that, it is supported by proper documentation and that it must then be submitted to the SK chairperson for verification and authentication.
According to the proposed ordinance, the release of the financial assistance pursuant to the provisions of the ordinance shall be supported by a certificate of accomplishment and participation from the CADAC or BADAC chairperson, BCPC chairperson, or from the City Anti-Graffiti Task Force based on the report submitted by the SK kagawad and must then be with the endorsement from the Chairperson of the Committee on Youth Welfare and Sports Development or the SK Federation of the city and submitted to the office of the City Accountant for processing.
However, the absence of the aforesaid requirements shall result to the delay in the processing of the documents for the release of the financial assistance.
The ordinance mandated the allocation of the amount of P27.6 million from the annual budget of the city for the implementation of the grant of the financial assistance to all SK officials.
The ordinance tasked the office of the City Mayor to prepare the appropriate guidelines for the implementation of the measure.
Section 2, Article 2 of the 1987 Constitution states that the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social wellbeing and it shall inculcate in the youth, patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.
The SK is one of the government institutions where the youth has an active participation that has a vast operation nationwide spearheading activities and endavors that promote genuine comprehensive youth development and empowerment.
By Dexter A. See
