SK councilors of barangay in Lapu-Lapu City resign en masse

All 7 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members and the two SK officers of Barangay Pusok in Lapu-Lapu City resigned en masse on Monday, March 22, citing their difference with the SK chairman.

The group submitted their resignations to Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan that day.

Chan told Rappler Tuesday, March 23, that he received the resignation letters and planned to meet with the group, as well as, other Barangay Pusok officials.

“I’ve requested to meet with the Barangay officials, and just now received the copy of their resignation letters. Nagpaabot na lang ko sa advise sa barangay captain kay siya may muset sa meeting,” said Chan.

(I’ve requested to meet with the Barangay officials, and just now received the copy of their resignation letters. I’m now waiting for the advise of the barangay captain since he will be arranging the meeting.)

Aside from the 7 elected members, the SK treasurer and secretary also handed their resignation letters to Chan.

Those who resigned were Keesha Nina Tunacao, Jeraldyn Soliano, Danica Mae Villa, Archie Pino, Edgar Inot Jr, Seth Joshua dela Pena, Zandra Faye Dignos, the SK secretary Monique Ursula, and treasurer Imae Batingal.

In a press statement the group said they quit as SK officials because of “lack of communication.”

“Na accumulate na tanan reasons and it didn’t happen over night. The lack of communication is the main reason, walay proper feedback and guidance from the head to the members,” they said in the statement.

(All the reasons accumulated and it didn’t happen overnight. The lack of communication is the main reason, no proper feedback and guidance from the head to the members.)

“We tried reaching out multiple times but we ended up thinking – if we no longer function as a group then we better resign. The youth deserves a more functional council who would address and carry out the goal of the Sanggunian effectively,” they said.

The members said they had plans and platforms but could not implement them out without the chairperson’s supervision.

Barangay Pusok SK Chairwoman Laika Tampus said she tried to resolve things internally.

“We tried to work things out as a council, even without budgets. Nagmake gihapon mi activities even with my own personal budget para lang naa mi activities sa Pusok, especially sa pandemic,” she said.

(We tried to work things out as a council, even without a budget. We made activities even with my own personal budget just so we can have activities in Pusok, especially during the pandemic.)

Rappler tried contacting the other SK officers to get their side, but they have not replied. – Rappler.com