SENATE president Senator Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri has presided over the mass oath-taking of 528 newly-elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) in Valenzuela City.
Held at WES Arena in Barangay Punturin, the event was witnessed by the Gatchalian brothers – Senator Sherwin ‘Win’ Gatchalian, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rexlon ‘Rex’ Gatchalian and Mayor Weslie ‘Wes’ Gatchalian and other key city officials led by Vice Mayor Lorie Natividad-Borja.
Senator Gatchalian challenged them to give their best shot because they’re chosen by the local electorate over others.
“Anyway, we are all here to support you all-out,” he said.
Prior to the declaration, the public officials shared messages of encouragement to the new set of village and youth leaders and emphasized what it takes to be a public servant.
“All programs and projects we do here in Valenzuela are parts of our collaborative effort. It’s not only the mayor who must be credited, it is everybody’s cooperation, your partnership with the city government that counts most,” Mayor Gatchalian said.
The former mayor-turned-DSWD chief, for his part, reminded the new barangay and SK officials not to undermine their two years of service.
“That is 730 days, enough time to make a difference in the lives of every single ‘Valenzuelano,’”the DSWD secretary said.
Meanwhile, Zubiri focused on the assistance of the Senate for barangay development in terms of policy-making.
The day before the oath-taking ceremony, the new SK officials underwent a seminar and training facilitated by former youth leaders and the outgoing SK Federation president, Councilor Goyong Serrano.
The mayor said the training focused on discussing the means of becoming a public servant, where they tackled critical topics such as their roles and responsibilities, budget allocation, prioritization, among others.
“This aims to assess the incoming officials and prepare them for their responsibilities before beginning to work,” the city chief executive said.
The city government stressed that they could now assume office after the oath-taking ceremony for as long as the proper turnover of property accountabilities of their respective barangay is secured.
