ISKOLAR-BOS is the most basic training for elected SK officials to be able to know the ABCs and the duties and responsibilities entrusted to them as public servants. The 2001 Katipunan ng Kabataan and Sangguniang Kabataan Constitution and By-laws mandates that the Federation elections be held at the last day of the ISKOLAR-BOS training. For the past two (2) SK elections, ISKOLAR-BOS was ordered deferred by the DILG despite the presumed problems of the newly-elected SKs being all new to public governance.

The new training module aims to equip the SK leaders with fundamental knowledge, values, and skills needed for them to effectively achieve the goals of their organization. At the end of the 3-day ISKOLAR-BOS training, the participants will be able to:

(1)    Explain the importance of a positive-self concept as an SK leader;

(2)    Discuss leadership concepts and perspectives;

(3)    Describe SK as an organization and state their roles and functions as SK leader;

(4)    Identify and enumerate the principles of good governance;

(5)    Develop beginning skills in resource management and advocacy;

(6)    Formulate Local Youth Agenda for their barangay; and

(7)    Prepare and commit to a personal and professional development plan as SK leader.

Members of the SKNF, technical staff and DILG officers from concerned regional offices were invited in the Trainors’ Training for Luzon and NCR. The same activity shall be held in Cebu City for the Visayas and Mindanao islands.

Board Member Joana Rose Martija and SKPF Chief of Staff Dennis Arpia represented Quezon Province while DILG Region IV-A representative was Ms. Anna Angulo, MLGOO of Calauag, Quezon. Those who completed the training shall be accredited as Trainors of ISKOLAR-BOS rolling-off in the Provincial, City and Municipal levels.

Meanwhile, Quezon Province has been conducting basic trainings for SKs prior to the launching of the new ISKOLAR-BOS module to adhere to the calls of SKs and to prevent bigger problems that could be brought about by lack of orientation of newly elected youth officials to govern.

-Winston Churchill

Responding to the urgent call for genuine concern and recognizing the many limitations of the Sangguniang Kabataan officials on deeper understanding about issues around climate change, the SKPF, in coordination with Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), the country’s oldest recognized Nongovernmental Organization (NGO), held a comprehensive Training/Workshop on Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) into Local Development Planning at Queen Margarette Hotel, Diversion Road, Lucena City last July 8-10.

The training was given to PPSK Presidents and selected SK Chairpersons to educate them on how to concretely participate in the efforts on disaster risk management and climate change adaptation in their respective community. This is essentially important because SKs are members of different local councils and special bodies for environment concerns.

Dr. Sharon E. Taylor, a British national and a marine biologist, was the head facilitator of the training workshop. Beside being the PRRM-Conrado Benitez Institute on Sustainability (CBIS) Assistant Director, Dr. Taylor is also an NGO representative/consultant to various national movements addressing climate change. Mr. Charlie R. Razo, CBIS researcher and librarian and Mr. Amor R. Cabico, PRRM area manager for Quezon were the other resource persons.

Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino, in his solidarity message, congratulated the SK leadership for the project and expressed hope on the more aggressive participation of the youth in the issues on environmental protection. In a hand-carried message, Cong. Teodoro Casiño of Bayan Muna, challenged the participants to be more vigilant and assertive of the rights as well as the responsibilities endowed to them as youth leaders.

In her Privilege Speech, Martija stressed that Ka Bobby is not just a role model for public servants of Quezon but an inspiration for his integrity, competence and loyalty to the people.

Atty. Tañada is a known nationalist and progressive leader. He was Customs Commissioner and later elected as Senator during the administration of President Corazon C. Aquino. He was Congressman of the 4^th District of Quezon and currently the Chairperson of Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), an NGO. Ka Bobby is among the top names in the list of nominees being evaluated by the JBC.

Martija also revealed that she was one of the many supporters of Tañada that signed in an on-line petition for his appointment as Ombudsman.

“Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” “Sama-sama tayo sa tuwid na daan.” Ang mga slogan na ito ang nagsilbing sasakyan ng pinaka-populary-elected President sa kasaysayan ng bansa patungong Malacanyang. Dahil ang malinaw na katotohanan – uhaw na sa pagbabago at mabuting pamamahala ang Sambayanang Pilipino.

Mr. Presiding Officer, my respected colleagues in this august chamber, fellow civil servants in the provincial government, members of the media, guests – a blessed Monday to all of us.

Habang ang lahat ay pre-occupied sa naging panalo ni Pacquiao – kasabay ng ating pagsasaya sa pagiging unbeatable ng pambansang kamao, o may halong disappointment kaya, dahil di nakipag-sabayan ang pinakahuli niyang biktima na si Shane Mosley – hindi pa rin natin dapat makalimutan ang mga mas importanteng concern ng ating bansa… lalo na ang kasiguruhan ng pananatili na Public Office is a public trust.

Mr. Presiding Officer, batid ng ating minamahal na Pangulong Noynoy Aquino, na ang Ombudsman ay may napakahalagang papel para tiyakin ang pagkakarooon ng mabuting pamamahala. Kamakailan po ay nag-resign na si Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. Kaya di na matutuloy ang pagdinig sa Senado sa impeachment complaint laban sa kanya.

Mr. Presiding Officer, pansamantala pong ang over-all Deputy Ombudsman ang namamahala sa iniwang poder ni Ombudsman Gutierrez. Pagkakataon na po ito ng ating Kagalang-galang na Pangulo upang pumili ng isang Ombudsman na may mataas na integridad, di-mapapasubaliang kakayahan at natatanging katapatan sa bayan!

Isang karangalan po para sa kinatawan ng kabataan sa kapulungang ito na himukin ang aking mga kasama upang sama-sama nating i-endurso ang appointment ng ating kababayan – na alam kong idolo rin ng marami sa mga nanunungkulan ngayon sa ating lalawigan. Ang akin pong tinutukoy ay ang kagalang-galang na dating senador Atty. Wigberto “Ka Bobby” Tañada. Maaari pong higit na kilala ng mga naririto ngayon ang isang Ka Bobby Tañada – na matagal nang naging inspirasyon ng mga lingkod-bayan ng Quezon sa kanyang pagiging Senador, Kongresista ng ika-4 na distrito at advocate ng good governance. Pero sa akin pong payak na pagkakakilala – alam ko po na walang pinaka-akmang tao para maging bantay laban sa katiwalian – kundi ang ating kababayan na si Ka Bobby.

Mr. Presiding Officer, kung mamarapatin po ng aking mga kasamahan, hinihiling ko po na pagkaisahan natin ngayon ang sama-samang pag-endurso sa Judicial and Bar Council o JBC at sa ating minamahal na Pangulo, Kgg. Benigno Simeon C. Aquino – na hirangin si Atty. Wigberto Tañada bilang susunod na Ombudsman.

Kung wala pong pagtutol ang aking mga kasamahan, nais ko pong hilingin ang pansamantalang pagsuspindi ng ating Internal Rules upang bigyang-daan na maipasa ang isang KAPASIYAHAN na buong karangalang nag-e-endurso kay dating Senador Wigberto “Ka Bobby” Tañada bilang susunod na Ombudsman.

Mr. Presiding Officer, di ko po kabisado ang technicality kung pwedeng mag-nominate ang Sangguniang Panlalawigan sa JBC, baka po matutulungan tayo ng ating Secretary dito (bilang member of the Bar) – kung endorsement ba o nominasyon ang kailangan nating ipasa para sa JBC. Kung hindi po kasi pwede na nomination, ay dapat pa rin pong makarating sa JBC ang sintemyento ng mamamayan ng Lalawigan sa pamamagitan ng ating Sanggunian. At isang bukod na Kapasyahan na endorsement para sa Pangulo ng Republika.

Maraming salamat po.

Hosted by the Divisions of Quezon Province and the City of Lucena, all 15 divisions of Region IV-A CALABARZON paraded in full colors in the usually busy streets of Lucena town proper to signal the merry start of the weeklong annual sports meet.

Gov. David “Jayjay” Suarez of Quezon lead the host parties in welcoming the athletes, trainors, coaches and other officials, as well as DepEd Regional and Division personnel in a festive mood demonstrating the reinforced tourism efforts of the province. SKPF President Joana K. Martija joined other School Board Members and local DepEd personnel in the grand parade.

More than winning medals in the tournament, the whole province is wishing to impart the warm hospitality of the Quezonians and offer the many wonderful tourist destinations in the province to the coming visitors.

The Provincial School Board (PSB) of Quezon is strong in its support for the hosting of the regional sports meet. Members of the PSB include Gov. Suarez chair; Dr. Gloria Potes (Division Superintendent) co-chair, Mr. Rey Luna (Teachers’ Association President), Mr. Webster Letargo (Head Executive Assistant and Governor’s Chief of Staff), Municipal Councilor Rayman Salvo (PTA President), Board Member Gerald Ortiz (SP Committee on Education) and Board Member Martija.

Jumpstarting from the successful Inaugural Meeting when the Internal Rules and Procedures and other significant organizational policies were passed, Board Member Joana Rose Martija, SKPF President, believes that the Federation still has a lot of catching up to do in order to rally the youth of Quezon at phase with the thrust to development of Governor David “Jayjay” Suarez and the Provincial Government.

In her welcome message, BM Martija explained the major objectives of the planning workshop – (1) to reinforce the understanding of the SKPF members of their mandates as SK Chair, Municipal Federation President and SKPF Member; draw a common direction thru lining up of priority plans and programs of the Provincial Federation; and to give room for sharing of initial experiences, challenges and problems in the performance of duties and responsibilities of members in their respective municipalities and barangays.

Resource persons were Dr. Pedro Mendoza, DILG Provincial Director; Mr. Enrico Damot, DILG Assistant Director, SB Secretary Ian Cometa of San Antonio, Mr. Serge Endiape from NGO/Church-based Organization and SKPF COS Dennis Arpia.

According to Board Member Joana Rose K. Martija, SKPF President, the federation unanimously passed a resolution of support during their 2^nd Regular Meeting held last Feb. 26 at Queen Margarette Hotel, Lucena City. While all of them are new in governance, the membership of the Provincial Federation is in unison that the collection would mean much positive impact in terms of real development that would really be felt by the people in the barangays– including the youth sector.

The Provincial Treasury is expecting more than Six Billion Pesos should the delinquent Power Plant pay its real property obligation to the province. The controversy, which had been in court for years, had been resolved with finality of the Supreme Court – siding with the claim of the Provincial Government.

The SKPF expressed sympathy to the sentiment of other sectors expressing dismay to the issue – citing that while the transnational company has been earning billions and the people of Quezon has been reaping the ill-effects of the power plant, Team Energy has been successfully eluding its tax obligation to the Local Government Units (LGUs) concerned.

Team Energy is not the only Power Plant in Quezon, its counterpart in Mauban, the Quezon Power, Ltd., has been diligently paying its real property tax obligations for years.

Joana Rose Kalaw Martija of San Antonio is now the Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation (SKPF) President of Quezon Province after being elected unopposed by the Pambayang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan Presidents.

The election was held December 10, 2010 at Queen Margarette Hotel, Diversion Road, Lucena City. Pursuant to the DILG guidelines, the election was held closed-door with panel of observers from the PNP Provincial Command, Department of Education and Religious Sector.

DILG Provincial Director Pedro M. Mendoza, DPA, headed the Board of Election Supervisors (BES) with the representatives of Provincial Election Supervisor and Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan as members.

Other elected officials were Deon T. Calvelo (Quezon)Vice President, Margie Reth J. Almonte (Sariaya) Secretary,Jessa L. Preza (Tiaong) Treasurer, Rolfe Andrei D. Caralian (Gumaca) Auditor, Loid John L. Vergano(Atimonan), Maria Lyranna S. Gaurano (Tagkawayan) Sgt-at-arms.

The new leadership vowed for stronger commitment and dedication towards total youth development in line with the priority programs of the national and the provincial government.