NYC exec opposes call to abolish SK

CEBU, Philippines - The National Youth Commission representative in the Visayas has opposed the call to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan.

NYC Commissioner Erwin Chua Andaya said that the SK is needed to strengthen youth empowerment.

Andaya said that instead of abolishing it, SK should be reformed.

“We support measures to reform them and not abolish them,” said Andaya. The NYC, the agency of the government on youth development, is considered the secretariat and training arm of SK.

Andaya said that they are aware of the issues against the SK like being a “breeding ground of political dynasty, a school of corruption, and a pool of incapable leaders.”

But Andaya said that they believe the abolishment of SK does not even wipe away these concerns.

“What SK needs now are structural reforms that would make SK a more accountable, more transparent, more responsive and more effective venue of youth participation in the local level.”

For NYC, Andaya said they believe the SK is necessary and a crucial institution for youth involvement in governance.

“Reforming the SK is an important investment in re-orienting politics and instituting substantial changes the way politics is practiced and lived out.”

NYC proposes for reforms in SK like in increasing the age of SK voters from the current 15 to 17 years old to 15 to 24 years old. They also hope to expand the Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK) or the SK voters to be the highest policy making body setting clear mechanisms for reporting and accountability as well as forming a Barangay Youth Development Council that would formulate the Barangay Youth Development Plan that shall guide the SK in the implementation of youth development programs.

Other reforms they are pushing for are on instituting fiscal autonomy by providing a lump sum allocation for SK instead of the present practice of having SK funds under the barangay, creating controls and audit mechanisms to address management of funds, creating controls and audit mechanisms to address management of funds and enforcing an anti – political dynasty clause, preventing relatives, up to 3rd civil degree, of elected officials from running in the SK.

Governor Hilario Davide III also believes that laws on the formation of SK should be revisited.

He said that based on observations, even the youth are going into ‘traditional politics’ and are also into vote buying.

“I believe i-revisit gyud na ang law creating the SK. Whether i-abolish or not, we should submit that to congress.”— (FREEMAN)