From 36 days, the bookkeeping training of appointed Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) treasurers in Cebu Province has been reduced to only one day.
This groundbreaking initiative was agreed upon in a meeting between Gov. Gwen Garcia and officials of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), headed by its deputy director general for special concerns, Vidal Villanueva, and regional director Ramon Evan Ruiz.
The governor’s concern was in relation to Section 10 of RA 10742 or the “Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015”, as amended by RA 11768, which states that “the appointed Sangguniang Kabataan treasurers shall undergo a mandatory bookkeeping training from, and be duly certified by TESDA before assumption to office.”
But according to TESDA, the only training they offer on bookkeeping is a national certificate III or NCIII which has a duration of 36 days of training.
Gov. Garcia said if TESDA would have their way, the SK would be rendered inutile as they would not be able to field a legitimate treasurer for at least two months; and that is, if the trainee should pass the TESDA accreditation.
“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,” said Board Member Loren Singco, president of the SK Federation in Cebu Province.
Gov. Garcia said TESDA’s interpretation of the law makes things complicated as the law did not envision that an NCIII be given the SK treasurers before they can be issued TESDA accreditation. She said a simple bookkeeping training would suffice, which include financial reports and journals recordings.
The governor said TESDA’s priorities are misplaced as the more important thing that SK officials need to learn is not technical knowhow but the values of accountability, honesty, and integrity in government service.
As such, an added novelty in Cebu’s SK composition is the appointment of an auditor from one of the elected councilors in order to check on the transactions of the treasurer and the chairman.
Moreover, to be included in the training are the appointed auditors who will be given post-audit and internal control trainings by TESDA.
“That’s my proposal, para SK will start it right. At least magsugod diris mga bata kay mga tag-as nag sungay ning mga tiguwang,” the governor said.
Vidal and Ruiz welcomed the Governor’s proposal as this will also make TESDA save funds, as they have allocated at least P600 million for the training of all SK treasures nationwide for the 36-day NCIII bookkeeping training.
DILG Cebu Province Director Atty. 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. | Babie Jane Revecoy