SK head confident bill vs. SK will not prosper

CEBU, Philippines - Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation head Jane Censoria Cajes is confident the bill proposing to abolish the SK will not prosper.

Cajes, who attended the three-day SK national convention held in Panglao Island, Bohol, said she and her officers are positive lawmakers will eventually push for SK reformation instead of total abolition.

“During the hearing earlier in March, the numbers of the congressmen who were for abolition decreased and they were now for reformation,” said Cajes, who is from Trinidad, Bohol.

She said during the hearing the representatives were impressed with their numbers, considering that all of the National Executive Board members and several regional representatives were present. Around 6,000 attended the convention.

Cajes also said that during the discussion the representatives were “close to admitting” that the SK organization learned corruption by following them.

“It came from their own mouth that if SK will be abolished then Congress might as well be demolished, which was actually a good sign,” Cajes said.

She said they composed a technical working group to lobby against the bill authored by Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr.

Among the issues raised against the SK was that it was a breeding ground of trapos (traditional politicians) and that the only activities they are good for are the holding of basketball leagues and discos.

But Cajes said they cannot do away with sports since it is mandated under existing laws, which is youth development.

They mentioned other useful activities implemented by SK heads in different provinces that are not useless.

These include lobbying for the crafting of a resolution or ordinance for the enlistment of households with Internet connections to monitor pornography and the registration and regulation of fraternities and sororities, among many others.

“We the SK are beyond discos and liga-liga, we can also make beneficial programs in our own capacity, but we also need their support,” Cajes said.

Pimentel, the author of Local Government Code that reinvented SK from KB or Kabataang Barangay during Marcos’ term, has been in the forefront in seeking its abolition. They claimed that SK officers discard school in exchange for salaries and perks offered.

According to Internet discussions, advocates of SK Reform do not dispute the observations posted by those calling for its abolition. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP   (THE FREEMAN)