Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Wednesday urged the newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan officials to serve the public well and set good examples as leaders of their respective communities during the mass oathtaking of 5,400 village youth officials at the San Andres Sports Complex.
The city chief executive administered the oath to the new youth leaders in the hope they will support the government’s various programs, particularly in maintaining peace and order and to unite for the progress of Manila.
Estrada also expressed confidence in the SK officials will faithfully perform their sworn duties and actively fulfill their roles in the development of the community and good governance.
“Your duty now lies in meeting their expectations, and you were the ones that the people elected. You must be faithful to your duty, honest in your goals and honest with work,” the former President said during the ceremony attended by several local government officials.
Through the barangay and SK officials, Estrada said the basic services needed by the community will be heard and addressed. The rules of the SK officials are important to the development of the barangays, he added.
“It is important that each of you have not just willingness to serve, but also the knowledge and familiarity with existing laws, ordinances and even circulars so that you can serve well,” the mayor said.
“Now that you have completed your orientation, you can start planning your programs for your barangay,” Estrada said.
The SK officials underwent training to improve their personal, managerial and leadership skills and manifest the tenets of good local governance.
The orientation aims for barangay governments to show measurable positive performance towards good governance and demonstrate and contribute to the desired public administration values, such as transparency, accountability, integrity, and citizen participation.
“As you take your oaths, I hope that you will be inspired over the next few years as you move forward and work for the benefit of your communities,” Estrada said.
“My office is wide open for dialogues especially for issues and concerns that affect all Manilenos,” the mayor added.