INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos urged the newly elected officials of the Sangguniang Kabataan to refrain from appointing relatives as SK secretaries and treasurers.

Abalos said that the appointment will mirror the officials’ credibility and will be a precedent for their leadership.

“Kaya mahalagang simulan nila ito (appointment) nang tama. Bawal ang kamag-anak system sa pag-appoint ng SK secretary at treasurer,” Abalos added.

Because of this, he issued DILG Memorandum Circular 2023-167 where he underscored that the new SK secretary and treasurer 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.

SK officials must choose qualified secretaries and treasurers within 60 days from their assumption of office.

“Bukod sa pagdalo sa SK Mandatory training, isa sa mga unang responsibilidad ng bagong SK officials ang pag-appoint ng secretary at treasurer,” he pointed out.

“Hinihiling ko lang na sana ay piliin nila yung qualified sapagkat sila ang mga makakasama din nila sa paglilingkod,” Abalos added.

In the same memorandum, Abalos spelled out the amended guidelines to assist SK officials in choosing a qualified secretary and treasurer pursuant to Section 10 of Republic Act No. 10742 as amended by RA No. 11768.

The appointee must 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.

Abalos added that the SK treasurer must also have an educational background relating to business administration, accountancy, finance, economics, or bookkeeping.

He added that the appointed SK secretaries and treasurers must undergo the mandatory training program before they can assume office, with the latter undergoing mandatory bookkeeping training from and be duly certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority before assumption to office.