The National Youth Commission, as the voice and advocate of the
youth, calls for the passage of the SK Reform and Empowerment bill.
As the lead agency in formulating youth and youth-related
policies, programs and measures on youth participation, the NYC views
Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) as a necessary and crucial institution for youth
involvement in governance. Similarly, it is a vital tool for mobilizing young
people to exercise social participation, practice active citizenship and
instill the value of civic duty. As an institution for and run by the youth,
the SK is a legitimate venue of potential young leaders to harness their physical,
social and intellectual skills to its fullest. Most importantly, the NYC
considers the SK as an important center of youth leadership for young citizens
who can be empowered to take the bigger task of participating in
nation-building.
It is in this regard that the NYC and several youth groups
strongly oppose the motion to abolish the SK as suggested by Election Lawyer
Atty. Romeo Macalintal in a Philippine Daily Inquirer news article.
“The abolition of SK will be a leap backwards in terms of youth
representation. There are structural iniquities in the system through which SKs
are elected and the manner by which they operate. These can be addressed
through the passage of the SK Reform and Empowerment bill.” says NYC Chairman
and CEO Leon Flores III.
“The Commission acknowledges the current issues confronted by the
SK such as questions of competence and allegations of corruption. Nonetheless,
these problems are not without solutions and can be addressed by reforms
presented in the Commission’s position paper (Reinforcing the Sangguniang
Kabataan for Youth Participation in Governance and Nation-Building)”, adds
Commissioner Perci Cendaña of NYC.
The fear that the SK as an avenue and training ground for trapos (traditional
politicians) and developing ground for dynasties could be addressed by the SK
Reform and Empowerment bill. “We have been pushing for the reform of the SKs
including the change of the age of SKs from 15-17 to 18 to 24 so that we have a
more mature pool of youth leaders. SKs should have fiscal autonomy, and
at the same time, mechanisms for transparency and accountability. An
anti-political dynasty clause was also recommended by the NYC.” Chairman Flores
III reiterates.
The call for reforming the SK is also extremely urgent for two
reasons. First, in the pursuit of the political reforms in the Matuwid na Daan, no
one especially the young should be left behind. Second, in the current
dispensation, the young would play an important role in changing the norms into
more positive, inclusive and developmental.
SK Reform Coalition, a youth-led organization, aims not just to
counter the SK abolition calls but to emphasize the need to develop good
governance and principled leadership among the youth. Further, it seeks for the
postponement of the SK elections so that the SK Reform and Empowerment bill can
be passed.
The NYC believes that reforming the SK is an important investment
in re-orienting politics and nation-building in general. Various efforts are
realized as the Commission worked closely with the Committee on Local
Government in the 15th Congress in support of the reform measures proposed by
Representatives Bag-ao, Bello, Palatino, Teodoro and Del Mar.
