Some 416 newly-elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials (BSKOs) in Victorias City, Negros Occidental took their oaths of office in a mass oathtaking ceremony administered by Mayor Javier Miguel Benitez at the City Sports and Amusement Center Nov. 6.
Benitez urged the BSKOs to ally with the city government in its shared vision of a clean, efficient, and inclusive governance. “Kamo ang mabaskog nga sanga sang gobyerno lokal, bangud kamo ang direkta nga naga-atubang sa aton mga pumuluyo. Kamo ang first line of public service, ang frontliner sang aton ciudad,” he stressed.
There were 26 punong barangays, 182 kagawads, 26 SK chairpersons, and 182 SK members elected in the BSKE polls Oct. 30.
The mayor congratulated this new batch of officials, and told them that the city government is willing to assist them, adding he expects quality performance from the BSKOs.
“Gina-expect naton ang high quality public service halin sa aton mga barangay kag SK officials, bangud ang aton ciudad indi man magpabaya sa inyo,” Benitez stressed in a city press release.
Liga ng mga Barangay-Victorias City chapter vice president and Councilor Richard Julius Sablan delivered the opening message and encouraged his fellow officials to unite as they deliver quality public service to their constituents.
Liga ng mga Barangay-Victorias City chapter president and Provincial Board Member Juvy Pepello delivered the closing message and urged the BSKOs to deliver unparalleled public service through their promised platforms, projects, and activities.
Vice Mayor Abelardo Bantug III, city councilors, City Administrator Atty. Lindolf De Castro, DILG CLGOO Stephanie Almira, department heads, 3rd District geographical coordinator Allana Montepio, family members, and relatives of the newly-elected officials attended the mass oathtaking.
In Bacolod, Mayor Alfredo Benitez said the ceremonial mass oathtaking of BSKOs will be held on Nov. 10 at SMX Convention Center, starting at 6 p.m. He said he expects about 960 officials to attend the ceremony, since he will present the good governance policy during the event.
Benitez earlier issued a memorandum to ensure the fast and smooth turnover of barangay and SK properties, financial records, and documents (PFRDs).
He designated acting city accountant, Atty. Jeremae Ann Ceriaco, to lead the City Assessment and Transition Team (CATT), and coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government and other team members in the conduct of the final inventory and submission of required forms, as well as the PFRDs and money accountabilities.
“There shall be a transition period not to exceed three weeks to ensure proper and smooth transition of governance, accountabilities, and actual turnover of barangay and SK PFRDs and money accountabilities, and to secure/comply with the bonding requirements and other requisites,” Benitez stressed. | CGC
