Essay on SK
With the October 28 barangay elections fast approaching, lawmakers have called for immediate action on the pending bills in the House of Representatives on reforming or abolishing the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).
The SK is a barangay-based youth government, which comprises of one SK chairperson and a set of SK councilors per barangay, all of whom are elected along with the barangay officials. Furthermore, this youth government is fairly represented in the legislative body of the cities/municipalities as the president of the SK Federation has a seat in the policy-making bodies such as the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Caloocan City Representative Edgar Erice, who dubbed SK as a “school of corruption”, refiled his bill for the abolition of the youth council noting that by abolishing SK, it would save government at least P1.1 biliion on election expenses with almost 42,000 seats for SK chairpersons & 300,000 seats for SK council up for grabs in the upcoming barangay polls. He proposes that the billion-peso budget can be reverted to national treasury and be re-allocated to increase appropriations for new school buildings.
The Commission on Elections is reportedly planning to come up with a resolution urging President Aquino to ask legislators to postpone the conduct of the SK elections scheduled simultaneously with the barangay polls. The Comelec expects that through the postponement, it will be proven that the country can do without the SK, which will subsequently lead to its abolition.
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I strongly believe this issue is a very political one as it involves youth participation in policy-making and governance wherein the younger members of society are given the privilege to voice out their concerns and push for policies that would cater to the betterment of the youth.
I agree that the intention of this youth council is noble – as it aims to create fair representation and active involvement of the youth in government. It is
The SK is a barangay-based youth government, which comprises of one SK chairperson and a set of SK councilors per barangay, all of whom are elected along with the barangay officials. Furthermore, this youth government is fairly represented in the legislative body of the cities/municipalities as the president of the SK Federation has a seat in the policy-making bodies such as the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
Caloocan City Representative Edgar Erice, who dubbed SK as a “school of corruption”, refiled his bill for the abolition of the youth council noting that by abolishing SK, it would save government at least P1.1 biliion on election expenses with almost 42,000 seats for SK chairpersons & 300,000 seats for SK council up for grabs in the upcoming barangay polls. He proposes that the billion-peso budget can be reverted to national treasury and be re-allocated to increase appropriations for new school buildings.
The Commission on Elections is reportedly planning to come up with a resolution urging President Aquino to ask legislators to postpone the conduct of the SK elections scheduled simultaneously with the barangay polls. The Comelec expects that through the postponement, it will be proven that the country can do without the SK, which will subsequently lead to its abolition.
______________
I strongly believe this issue is a very political one as it involves youth participation in policy-making and governance wherein the younger members of society are given the privilege to voice out their concerns and push for policies that would cater to the betterment of the youth.
I agree that the intention of this youth council is noble – as it aims to create fair representation and active involvement of the youth in government. It is