A total of 40 Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons from the first district of Davao City gathered on Friday for local legislative seminar sessions.
The seminar, held at the New Councilor’s Lounge on the 3rd floor of the Sangguniang Panglungsod building, was part of the “Pakighinabi” event, which seeks to empower the SK through policy making.
The event was jointly organized by the Office of Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain and the SK Federation headed by Councilor Kristine Abdul Mercado to amplify youth participation through policy making, and to equip the young leaders with the technical knowledge in proper policy making.
The event was also graced by Atty. Eleazar Cagula from the City Legal Office, Atty. Camille Flores from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Davao City Youth Development Office personnel.
Also launched during the event are the E-books on the Compilation of Basic Laws and Principles Affecting the Barangay 2024 Edition and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about the Barangay 2024 Edition, which were compiled by the Vice Mayor’s Office.
Quitain told reporters that the seminar was for the purpose of education.
“That is why meron tayong ganitong program, to teach them the [legislative] processes kasi sometimes, mag-oido oido tayo. Even ako na experience nako tung bag-o pako nga konsehal and naa man diay mga rules na in place na, so much better kung ma lecture para at least ma improve nila, ma-adopt nila, or they can improve the rules as to how they conduct their own sessions and meetings sa ilahang officers (We have this program to teach them the [legislative] processes because sometimes we have this tendency to [play by ear]. Even me, I did that when I was a new legislator but I later found out that rules such as this exists, so it is much better that it is lectured so that they can improve it, adopt it, and improve the rules as to how they conduct their own sessions and meetings with their officers),” Quitain said.
He said that the thrust of the seminar is to delve deeper on local legislation because while SK members are young, they are public and government officials.
“Hopefully they can learn something from this and they can pass it on to the next SK people that will come in. Pasa pasa nalang at least masimulan nila (Hopefully, they learn something from this and they can pass it on to the next SK people that will come in. They can pass it along, at least, they could start it),” he said.
Dave John Renoy, the SK Chairman of Barangay Catalunan Pequeño told reporters that the seminar added to their knowledge in writing resolutions and creating ordinances that form part of their task as SK chairpersons.
“Not only gamit ni siya sa among pagpadagan sa among opisina and also sa paghimo namo nga sustainable ang amoang programa, ang amoang activities para sa among barangay labi na sa mga kabatan-onan. So ang pinakadako gyud namo makita na benefit ani nga program karon kay mas klaro na sa amoa and naa gyud siya’y detailed explanation, detailed na instructions kung unsaon namo siya pag craft na maging uniform pud siya sa pamaagi sa city labi na karon nga naga practice napud ang city nga ma centralize nato ang legislative process gikan sa local government hangtod sa barangay level. (This will not only be useful in running our offices but also helps in creating programs and activities in the barangay and for the youth. The biggest benefit we can get from this program is that there is a clearer and more detailed explanation given to us, detailed instruction on how to craft [legislations] that is also uniform with the processes of the local government),” Renoy said.
Quitain added that the seminar is just the first leg of similar activities to be conducted all over the city. CIO
