SK reform, not abolition

CEBU, Philippines - Two officials from the National Youth Commission (NYC) reiterated their call to reform the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) instead of abolishing it.

NYC chairman and chief executive officer Leon Flores and NYC Commissioner-at-large Percival Cendaña, who were in Cebu recently, said they already made a position paper calling for SK reforms as they oppose its abolition.

 “The NYC views the SK as a necessary and crucial institution for youth involvement in governance. It is, if properly harnessed and utilized, a necessary tool for mobilizing young people and instilling the value of civic duty. It is, again with the same premise of proper utilization, also an ideal site for young people to exercise social participation and practice active citizenship. As an institution for and run by the youth, the SK is a legitimate venue wherein the young can channel their physical, social and intellectual energies,” the position paper reads.

The NYC supports the proposal to increase the age of participation in the SK from 15-17 years old to 15-25 years old, provided that the chairperson is at least 18 years old on the day of the election.

As it is, Flores said, some SK chairmen are not of legal age so they could not enter into contracts. Because of this, their budgets are at the mercy of the barangay captains.

The NYC regards the SK as an “important center” of youth leadership wherein young people can be empowered to take on the bigger task of participating in nation-building.

Bills for the total abolition of the SK were proposed by Hon. Magtanggol Gunigundo, Representative of Valenzuela District II (HB 2534); Hon. Marc Douglas Cagas, Representative of Davao del Sur District I (HB 3132); and Hon. Sergio Apostol, Representative of Leyte District II (HB 3604).

NYC added that the call for reforming the SK is extremely urgent in the pursuit of political reforms.

“No one, especially the young, should be left behind,” the NYC stated.

Also, the NYC said the young plays an important role in changing attitudes and practices.

Both commissioners said they support the reform measures of Akbayan Representatives Kaka Bag-ao and Walden Bello, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino, Rep. Marcelino Teodoro of the Marikina City District I and Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel Marguerite Del Mar.

These bills, the NYC believes, reflect the desire to institute reforms in the SK in the form of creating mechanisms for accountability and transparency, fiscal autonomy, widening the age for participation, empowering youth organizations in the community and addressing the issue of political dynasty head-on. (FREEMAN)