Hannah L. Torregoza wrote in the National News section of Manila Bulletin (p.12) last April 14, 2008 that the good Senator Pimentel would like to pass a legislation to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in the Local Government. The argument givern by the so-called “Ama ng Barangay” in the Philippines is that the SK for the past years has not been serving its purpose. It ended up to be a socio-cultural group which organizes projects not true to the real essence of SK. First question, what is the real essence of the SK? Second, why focus on the SK when there are a lot of government institutions which does not serve their purpose.
Allow me to offer some concerns about the said proposal. The 1987 Constitution recognizes the vital role of the YOUTH in nation-building. This is the main reason for the creation of the SK. Moreover, it guarantees the representation of the youth sector in Local government. Senator Pimentel made mention about the youth just vying for a seat in the House of Representatives as a sectoral group which the 1987 Constitution also provides. However no matter how sound the proposal may be, it restricts the role and participation of the youth in nation-building. How? Since the party-list system was established, no youth-related or youth-centered party-list group secured a seat in the House. This just proves that youth sector is underepresented. If the SK will be abolished, then there will be zero participation of the youth. True that the youth can engage in socio-civic work like Gawad Kalinga (GK) and Habitat for Humanity but it can only do so much.
Year 2004, 15.1 million voters belong to the youth sector. A very significant number which does not only merit representation but recognition. The youth is the biggest sector in the country today and it is disappointing that such proposal from a senior senator was made. In the Local Governments of the Philippines may it be a barangay, municipality, city, or province; the youth is represented in the municipal, city, and provincial council by an ex-officio representation. The municipal/city/provincial SK federation President will be an ex-officio member of the respective council. Such representation enables the youth to participate in policy-making which does not only guarantee the advancement of the youth agenda but also the proper check and balance of proposed legislations which may or may not affect the youth.
Allowing but not conceding to Senator Pimentel’s point that the SK does not serve its purpose; does it merit abolishment asap? Why not REFORM the SK in the country? I do not accept the argument presented by the good senator because it is petty and premature. Why not look into the House of Representatives perhaps or the Senate? Were the senate inquiries conducted really done in aid of legislation? How many bills are filed every year and how many are passed? How about in the Bureau of Customs? and other government related agencies? Are they really serving their purpose? The reason why I raised these points is to strengthen my concern on the focus on the SK. Why the SK? Why not other agencies which since time immemorial proved to be incompetent?
I say NEVER to the abolishment of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and big YES to reforms. The road to youth participation in nation-building might be bumpy but it will never merit its abolishment. To abolish the SK is to kill YOUTH EMPOWERMENT! To abolish SK is to disenfranchise the YOUTH and to contribute to an elitist democracy. I call on Senator Nene Pimentel to rethink such proposal and conduct dialogues with the youth sector. I worked with a lot of youth groups and knowing them, they will be more than willing to help out. I call on all SK officers in the country to stand up and make your voices heard. We are the Filipino Youth and we have the RIGHT to BELIEF and ACT in accordance with such BELIEF.
NO TO THE ABOLISHMENT OF THE SANGGUNIAN KABATAAN! YES TO REFORMS!
