DILG bans nepotisim in appointment of SK employees

MANILA, Philippines — Relatives of newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan officials are prohibited from serving as secretaries and treasurers of the SK board, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said yesterday.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos has signed DILG Memorandum Circular 2023-167, banning appointments of SK secretaries and treasurers within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity of any official.

The appointed SK personnel should not be related to any incumbent elected national, regional, provincial, city, municipal or barangay official in the locality.

“This appointment will mirror the SK officials’ credibility and will be a precedent to their leadership. Relatives are not allowed to be appointed as SK secretary and treasurer,” Abalos said.

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

The memorandum also outlined the guidelines that assist SK officials in selecting a qualified secretary and treasurer.

The appointee should be a resident of the barangay for not less than one year, able to read and write in Filipino, English and the local dialect and must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude.

The SK treasurer should have educational background in business administration, bookkeeping or similar courses.

Other nominees can only be considered if there is no member that meets the educational requirements.

The appointed treasurer and secretary must undergo the mandatory training program, including bookkeeping, before they can assume office.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will facilitate the training of the secretary and treasurer.