Photo courtesy of Yahoo! Philippines
By Jaries S. Villavicencio
AS the barangay elections are set to be held on October 28, the abolishment of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) continues to draw in support from a variety of lawmakers.
The SK is a barangay-based governing body that acts as the local youth legislature. The officials are elected alongside barangay officials.
Rep. Hon. Sergio A. F. Apostol joins the support in dissolving the SK, which has been tagged as a breeding ground for corruption and political dynasties by some.
AS the barangay elections are set to be held on October 28, the abolishment of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) continues to draw in support from a variety of lawmakers.
The SK is a barangay-based governing body that acts as the local youth legislature. The officials are elected alongside barangay officials.
Rep. Hon. Sergio A. F. Apostol joins the support in dissolving the SK, which has been tagged as a breeding ground for corruption and political dynasties by some.
Describing the youth government of the Philippines as “an organization that exposes the young leaders to situations that make them susceptible to dishonest or corrupt practices,” Apostol filed House Bill 3604 seeking the amendment of Republic Act 7160 (Local Government Code) to abolish the SK.
The bill also aims “to give priority to the education of our youth” and “shall provide measures to assure their education will be their primordial consideration.”
According to Apostol, it has failed to become the typical organization whose role is to become the primary vehicle in creating programs for the benefit of the youth.
He explained that since the establishment of the Sangguniang Kabataan, there are lots of doubts as to whether it was able to rally the youth to help implement national vision.
“By abolishing the Sangguniang Kabataan, we can not only save billions of pesos in the conduct of their elections but save the nations from the newly trained traditional politicians,” Apostol explained.
Meanwhile, other senators like Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said that instead of abolishing the SK, why not change the system that will make it more responsive.
Ejercito said that he is proposing a bill which seeks to reform the SK system, “Sangguniang Kabataan Empowerment Act of 2013,” to prevent the abrogation of the voice of the youth sector.
Lawmakers are yet to discuss on the issue as some officials propose the postponement of the synchronized barangay and SK elections.
The bill also aims “to give priority to the education of our youth” and “shall provide measures to assure their education will be their primordial consideration.”
According to Apostol, it has failed to become the typical organization whose role is to become the primary vehicle in creating programs for the benefit of the youth.
He explained that since the establishment of the Sangguniang Kabataan, there are lots of doubts as to whether it was able to rally the youth to help implement national vision.
“By abolishing the Sangguniang Kabataan, we can not only save billions of pesos in the conduct of their elections but save the nations from the newly trained traditional politicians,” Apostol explained.
Meanwhile, other senators like Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said that instead of abolishing the SK, why not change the system that will make it more responsive.
Ejercito said that he is proposing a bill which seeks to reform the SK system, “Sangguniang Kabataan Empowerment Act of 2013,” to prevent the abrogation of the voice of the youth sector.
Lawmakers are yet to discuss on the issue as some officials propose the postponement of the synchronized barangay and SK elections.
