The Senate Local Government Committee is pushing for the postponement of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to 2016, and I agree; the Filipino youth is not ready to elect its SK officials this coming October.
The SK is the seven-member youth council based in each barangay. SK kagawads, aged 15 to 17 years old, are normally elected during the barangay elections. According to Republic Act Number 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, SK kagawads are meant to “initiate programs designed to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual and physical development” of their constituents.
However, Senate Local Government Committee Chairman Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos said in a Philippine Daily Inquirer article that the SK “has lost its effectiveness in advancing democratic ideals of service–oriented leadership.”
This is reflected in my own barangay, where young voters like myself have been unaware of our SK’s projects for years. The only SK project I know about is the inter-barangay basketball league which my cousin participates in every summer. Apart from that, my own SK kagawads have done nothing relevant enough for me to notice their presence.
And I am not alone. Many young Filipinos nationwide no longer see the significance of the SK.
Critics have advocated scrapping the SK completely. A story on Rappler released last September 3 said that “SK members only engage in local politics and do not serve the interests of the Filipino youth.” Moreover, those who want to abolish the SK said that the youth council has become a breeding ground for political dynasties and corrupt government officials.
However, I do not believe the SK should be abolished. Like the National Youth Commission, I see the SK’s potential to provide the opportunity to the Filipino youth to participate in political affairs and practice active citizenship.
There is a need, nevertheless, to reform the SK’s current structure. Postponing the SK elections to 2016 will give Congress enough time to legislate changes that will hopefully improve the youth council.
One advantage of the proposed election postponement is that it will allow all concerned sectors to properly review whether the age range for SK kagawads is still effective. I personally think that allowing 18 to 21-year-olds to run for the SK should be reconsidered, as students part of this age group are more mature and thus more prepared for the local leadership role.
Postponement will also provide Congress enough time to make reforms that will ensure that SK kagawads are able fulfill their jobs without being used by their older counterparts elected in higher offices.
While I am aware that postponing the SK polls will entail added expenses for the government, the possible SK reforms that will be made for next three years far outweigh the costs.
It’s about time young Filipinos once again see the noble purpose of the SK, and if that means a delay in the SK elections, then so be it.
