Notes

Allegations of corruption by inefficient, ineffective, and non-performing Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials have caused mounting calls for its abolition from various sectors and officials, including no less than President Benigno Aquino, Jr. himself, and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo. Ironically, the very author of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code (LGC) which created the SK in 1991, is also pushing for SK’s demise. The original age of those who can register and vote used to be 15 to 18 while candidates for the SK posts were from 18 to 21. She says for those who can run for SK posts, the COMELEC lowered the age bracket in 2004 from 18 to 21, to 15 to 18 years old. “We felt that this was a bad move. Masyadong bata yung mga SK officials, nasa high school pa sila at madaling maimpluwensiyahan ng pulitiko. Kadalasan nagagamit kami ng mga barangay captains at pulitiko kasi may boses kami sa council. We cannot sign contracts because we are minors, so it’s the barangay chairman who does it for us. Pag yung kapitan may gustong pabor, iniipit yung SK at hindi magbibigay ng budget. Kawawang SK walang magawa kundi pumayag na lang,” laments Cajes, 20. Both SKNF and Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino say electing only one youth representative in the barangay would make them prone to engage in corrupt and anomalous activities because of the absence of a check and balance mechanism provided by the kagawads. On the allegation that SKs are doing nothing but hold sports activities, Cajes says that is because sports are part of their mandate. Then there is the issue of the SK representatives neglecting their studies. Despite the change of heart of President Aquino and Sec. Robredo on the issue, former Sen. Pimentel is still firm in his position. “While I was in the Senate I received hundreds of requests complaining about the SK, na walang silbi, walang concrete (project, law) silang nagawa. Most of them are even studying far from their barangays, so in effect they can no longer do their job because they have to be in school most of the time,” reveals Pimentel who is in favor of only one youth representative. The SKNF strongly denies this, stating that many SKs are actually implementing projects that benefit both the youth and adults. The study, made by researchers of the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies Program on Psychosocial Trauma revealed that “abolishing the SK will not serve the best interest of children and young people nor will it shield them from the negative influences of politics and politicians. It will only destroy a unique system and a mechanism that has great potential for youth participation in governance and community service.”