SK training reduced to only one day

CEBU, Philippines — From close to 40 days, the bookkeeping training of appointed Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) treasurers in Cebu province has been reduced to only one day and would be held in different venues tomorrow.

This came after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu Province SK Federation president and ex-officio Provincial Board Member Loren Singco met Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-7 Director Ramon Evan Ruiz and Deputy Director for Special Concerns Vidal Villanueva and agreed on this matter.

Sugbo News, the Cebu Provincial Government’s official news network, reported that Department of Interior and Local Government -Cebu Provincial Director Ian Kenneth Lucero, Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu Director Rose Mae Quiñanola, and TESDA-Cebu Director Floro Ringca were also present during the meeting.

Section 10 of Republic Act (RA) 10742 (Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015), as amended by RA 11768, states that “the appointed Sangguniang Kabataan treasurers shall undergo a mandatory bookkeeping training from, and be duly certified by TESDA before assumption to office.”

“If we do not comply with this (TESDA accreditation), they (SK Treasurers) cannot perform their functions in the barangays. So that means they cannot disburse funds, they cannot transact, so every project planned by the SK is paralyzed,” Singco said.

Garcia criticized why it would take 40 days for the training, saying that if TESDA would have its way, the SK would be rendered inutile as they will not be able to field a legitimate treasurer for almost two months, provided the trainees also pass the TESDA accreditation.

The governor said TESDA’s interpretation of the law makes things complicated as the law did not envision that an NCIII accreditation be given to the SK.

She felt that a simple bookkeeping training would be enough for SK officials to learn the values of accountability, honesty, and integrity in government service and not technical know-how. The training could include financial reports and journals recordings.

Aside from cutting down the training to just a day, Garcia also said that it should include the SK’s appointed auditors, who would be taught about post-audit and internal controls.

“That’s my proposal, para ang SK will start it right. At least magsugod diris mga bata kay mga tag-as na’g sungay ning mga tiguwang,” she said.

Vidal and Ruiz welcomed the governor’s proposal, as this will also make TESDA save funds, since the training of all SK treasures nationwide for the 36-day NCIII bookkeeping training needs at least P600 million.

Garcia and the TESDA official agreed to have the training for Cebu province SK treasurers tomorrow, with Singco issuing a memorandum stating that it is “mandatory.”

“As part of our commitment to ensuring transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in financial management, we are pleased to announce the implementation of mandatory bookkeeping training for all SK Treasurer… Barangay SK Treasurers of the Province of Cebu are hereby obliged to attend the Mandatory Bookkeeping Training for SK Treasurers on January26, 2024,” read part of the memo.

The venues for the training will be by political districts, with first district SK treasurers having theirs at the new Carcar City Hall; second district, Boljoon gym; third district, Toledo City Megadome; fourth district, Bogo City gym and in Madridejos; fifth district, Carmen gym and Tudela gym.

For the sixth district, it would be at the Cordova Session Hall or at the Cordova Home Village and for the seventh district, the Dumanjug CTU gym.

Participants are required to bring their own ballpen, pencil, a pad of 10-column worksheet, calculator, and IDs.

Singco said the training is free of charge, with the food and venue taken cared of by the mayors and by the governor. — /RHM (FREEMAN)