Sept. 26, 2011
WHEN: Sept 24, 2011 130pm-5pm

WHERE: Sanggunian Panlungsod Session Hall
Background and Info: This is another annual special project of the Office of Iloilo City Councilor Nielex "LEX" Tupas. This is the second year that this project has been implemented/done or organized and sponsored by Councilor LEX Tupas. Councilor Tupas is the prime mover, initiator and is said to be the first to do such a project. On its first year last 2009 it had SK Chairmen & SK Kagawads as beneficiaries. Now, the special project is in cooperation with the Office of the Sanggunian Kabataan Federation President Ex Officio City Councilor Sheen Marie Mabilog. About 80 incumbent SK Chairmen and a number of SK Kagawads attended/participated. Councilor Tupas invited the following speakers:
1. For SK Budget, Accounting and Expenditures: Director Alfonso Bedonia Jr., Regional Director, Department of Budget and Management - He emphasized the role of SK at the barangay level and also projects that can be pursued for the youth they represent that goes beyond basketball and volleyball tournaments
2. For Ethics: Mr. John Esar T. David, Supervising Personnel Specialist, Human Resource Division, Civil Service Commission Regional Office 6 - He explained and discussed ethics well and explained and expounded RA 6713 or A Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of for Public Officials and Employees in detail
3. For Public Accountability: Atty. Ma. Sonnette S. Daquita, Officer in Charge, Ombudsman Visayas Regional Office, Graft Investigator & Prosecutor Officer 1 - She introduced the Office of the Ombudsman and emphasized that there are repurcussions to acts inimical to public interest

OBJECTIVES/AIM: To guide/mold young leaders to start well and right with their public service careers; to emphasize the importance of ethics and public accountability while doing their duties; to instill in the youth the values of passion, intensity, idealism, independence, innovation and excellent public service; to ensure, assure and ascertain transparent & good governance with great future leaders of our city and country

Additional details: The new batch of SK Officials arrived very early that apparently did show their interest to learn and they participated very well during the Open Forum after each topic and resource person. All of them also stayed until the end of the seminar that exceeded the expected time it would have ended. Given that this particular special project of the Office of City Councilor LEX Tupas has been very successful for 2 years already, this project will be continued and will have the rest of the SK Chairmen as beneficiaries and will be opened to school councils and youth groups thereafter.