PGMA to attend SK National Congress in Olongapo-Subic

SUBIC BAY, Olongapo (PND) – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be the guest of honor and speaker in the 2009 Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) National Congress being held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

At that Congress, the Chief Executive is expected to underscore the importance of the Sanggunian Kabataan in achieving the government’s programs and projects.

President Arroyo government has always enlisted the participation of the youth in the Philippine Reform Agenda, which focuses on economy, education and environment.

Noting that people under 30 make up more than half of the population, the President said the youth sector is indispensable in the fight against climate change and in the preservation and protection of the environment.

Aside from President Arroyo, other government officials expected to attend the event are Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chairman Sergio Osmena-Valencia and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Chairman Ephraim Genuino.

SK is the barangay’s youth legislature. It initiates policies, programs and projects for the youth.

FLASH REPORT: Hot issues in SBMA-Olongapo-Subic-Zambales triggered flurry of comments

FLASH REPORT: Hot issues in SBMA-Olongapo-Subic-Zambales triggered flurry of comments

Three issues posted in Olongapo-Subic blog spiked its readership and its counter hitting the 699800 mark largely due to this week 's hot issues. Graphic report of recent visitors' map shows that commentators are from different parts of the globe with varying opinion on hot issues as well as suggestions for our leaders' consideration.

The following articles were of special interest to Olongapo-Subic News Readers:

Pagbabalik ng bold shows sa Olongapo inupakan

Manggagawa sa Hanjin patay sa kapaskuhan

Appointment of 23-year-old to SBMA board hit

YEAR-ENDER January to December 2007 Archive


FLASH REPORT

Kapitan Carlito Baloy of Barretto was given a fresh mandate by members of the Association of Barangay Captain of Olongapo City as their leader and representative to the City Council, Capt Arce of New Ilalim did not pursue his plan to run for ABC Presidency leaving Baloy uncontested during their assembly held this morning 29 December 2007 at FMA Hall, Olongapo City Hall Complex.

Three weeks ago, the hotly contested seat of SK Federation Chairman was won by Chenny Moya also from Barretto in a controversial show of defiance by the emerging young leaders to the wishes of the city's administration party which endorsed celebrity teen star Dindin Llarena of East Tapinac to the SK Federation Chairmanship.

Barangay polls filing sked reset

The Commission on Elections has reset the date for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections to Sept. 29 from Sept. 14.

In a statement, the Comelec said Thursday it would accept the certificates until Oct. 18.

The Comelec also set the ban on firearms from Sept. 29 to Nov. 13.

The Comelec en banc, in Resolution 8301, cited the need to adjust the schedule “to ensure accomplishment of the activities in preparation for the barangay and SK elections [on Oct. 29] and so as not to deprive voters of their right of suffrage.

Earlier this week, the Comelec announced the certificates of candidacy could be filed between Sept. 14 and 19.

Candidates for punong barangay (village chair), sangguniang barangay kagawad (village councilor), SK chair and SK kagawad (SK councilor) must file their certificates at their city or municipal election offices.

The Comelec said candidates must file their certificates in person or through a duly authorized representative.

The Philippine National Police is set to implement the nationwide gun ban ahead of the polls.

Chief Supt. Florencio Caccam Jr., chief of the PNP Firearms and Explosives Division, corrected reports the gun ban was to be implemented starting Thursday. Beverly T. Natividad and Alcuin Papa

Registration for dual polls starts Sunday

By William B. Depasupil, Manila Times Reporter

UNLESS postponed by an act of Congress, the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections would push through on October 29, said Commission on Elections spokesman Dir. James Jimenez Thursday.

Jimenez said voters’ registration for the coming polls would begin on Sunday and would run for a week, or until July 22.

As stipulated in Comelec Resolution No. 8228, people aged 18 and above on October 29, election day, may either register as first time voters or apply for transfer.

For the SK elections, people aged 15 to 17 may also register and vote, provided that they meet the six months residency requirement in the barangay units where they intend to vote.

Jimenez explained that if one has already turned 18 on or before the SK elections, he or she is disqualified to register or vote.

The barangay and SK elections were originally scheduled in October 2006 but was postponed by Congress because no funds were available.

Earlier, Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. said it would be better to scrap the barangay election and instead empower that municipal and city mayors to appoint the barangay officials.

“Barangay elections are divisive. There were many instances in the past that close family members were pitted against each other, destroying in the process close family relations,” Abalos said.

He said barangay elections also use up money that could be used instead to build more schools, farm-to-market roads and other vital projects.

There are 41,975 barangays in the country and the same number of SK councils. The Comelec would be spending between P2.5 billion and P3.5 billion for the simultaneous elections.