Should We Abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan?

Posted by Mighty on Oct 22, 2010 | Leave a Comment

On Monday, millions of Filipinos will go to the voting precincts to cast their votes for their Barangay officials. For readers outside the Philippines, the barangay is the most basic (official) political unit in the country. Alongside the barangay elections, young people age 15-18 will also cast their votes for the officers of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or Youth Council.

Is the SK worth keeping?

A lot of people, including President Benigno Aquino III have called for the abolition of the SK. Davao Congressman Nograles “said that after three SK elections, no less than former Senator Aquilino Pimentel, the proponent of the SK, proposed its abolition in the 14th Congress because it has failed to produce the intended results.”

Here are several reasons why the SK should be abolished:

The Sangguniang Kabataan has become a training ground for corruption. The children of traditional politicians and dynasties all over the country are fielded as SK candidates. When they win, they simply reinforce political dynasties. Furthermore, they become privy to corruption and unethical practices in the government.

The SK does not meaningfully empower youth in the communities. Apart from the usual Sports program and the barangay markers and arches, most SK chapters in barangays, towns and provinces do not have programs that empower young people. Sure, the SK officials and leaders have seminars and leadership training opportunities, but these opportunities do not trickle down to the grassroots and they could not be felt by young people.

But then, according to the Manila Bulletin, “The Philippines is so far, the only country in the world which has given its youth the opportunity to take a participative role in government through the SK. An offshoot of the Kabataang Barangay of the ‘70s, the SK is a governing body where youth, aged 15 to 18 years old, may register to vote and be voted in the SK.”

Indeed, the SK has GREAT POTENTIALS for the political participation of the youth in the Philippine society. It can also, potentially, be the training ground for future political leaders in the country. However, the SK did not live up to its promise!

If you ask me, I’d say, abolish the SK and empower the youth through other means. Right now, however, I do not have any other alternative to propose. For some people, that might not be acceptable. The only alternative I can think is for non-governmental organizations and religious institutions to empower the Filipino youth through various (wholistic) youth development programs.

Like it or not, the SK is here to stay (at least for another three years if those who want to abolish it have their way)! If you or somebody you know wins in the SK elections, help them! How?

1. Hold them accountable in delivering impeccable public service! The SK is not just a simple organization. The SK Chairperson receives salary. With such salary, the public deserves the best service from them.

2. Guide them to spend public money wisely and ethically. Don’t cheat. Don’t steal money. Stealing ten pesos is already small scale corruption. And if it continues, who’s to stop a young SK official from stealing hundreds of thousands from public funds?

3. Challenge SK officials in your barangay, town, and province to think beyond the usual youth programs. You know them–basketball league during the town fiesta, construction of a “Welcome to Barangay Blah” marker or the usual municipal hall beautification project! There are hundreds of good ideas for youth development programs out there. All it takes is a sincere search for the best programs.

This coming October 25, go out and vote wisely for youth leaders in your communities.

P.S. Just a question for Filipino readers: Have you had any experience in dealing and working with the SK? How was it?

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Karle

I love this things,, it gelp me alot to my project
tnx tlgah,,, im very hapi to one who have published or post this here.. )
http://jefmenguin.com Jef Menguin

The argument is that the SK is not useful because they are used by the corrupt politicians. If we were to accept that the solution is to abolish the SK, then it follows that we must also abolish the barangay election, of the LGUs and that of the congress, senate, the vice president, and the president.

If SK is a breeding ground for corruption, how will you train the youth in governance. NGO cannot answer that. The church cannot do that either.

We should not blame the youth if they are used by the adults. Do not blame them for the fault of their elders. Instead, let us start a movement that will truly educate and empower the youth as leaders.

The choice is ours.
- jean javier
  
  hmm..were going to make a debate next week..can you help me please or give some messages about my topic..?? the topic is “minimum age of SK voters from 15-18 be icreased to 16-21 years old..please…..
http://jefmenguin.com Jef Menguin

I am now very sleepy. My English is getting pretty bad. Thanks for the post. It made me think.
http://www.mightyrasing.com Mighty

Hey Jef, thanks for your interesting thoughts. But I think that NGOs and churches have the power to help empower the youth to become responsible citizens, IF they only realize their power to do so.

“The argument is that the SK is not useful because they are used by the corrupt politicians. If we were to accept that the solution is to abolish the SK, then it follows that we must also abolish the barangay election, of the LGUs and that of the congress, senate, the vice president, and the president.”

–> We are dealing with a broken system. I don’t know the extent of its brokenness. While some young people’s leadership skills develop within the SK, we cannot deny that some young people are being consumed by the “system” of bad governance and corruption in the country.

Like I said, I don’t have an alternative system to propose to the SK. Since, it’s here to stay, we might as well help these young leaders maintain their integrity despite of the broken system they are working in.
http://www.mightyrasing.com Mighty

And yes, we can indeed do something about their plight and empower them so that they will not commit the mistakes of their elders. I’m with you on that!

cheers,

Mighty
- lily lizel lagahit
  
  help me guys….the issue goes like this ” Sk election 15-18 yrs old can vote how come the 15-18yrs old will be 16-21 are the age of the voters for sk…..
lizzie

thanks for the comment guyz . i can use this for my coming verbalogica
Me too.. i’m affirmative that sk should be abolish!
jean may

i agree it must be abolish … for the goodness of our country ..
dean

hindi SK ang kelangang alisin ni P-Noy!!! ang kinakailanganga alisin ay ang mga politikong nasa poder na siyang gumagamit sa SK para mangurakot… oo ngat sa nagun ay walang nagagwa ang SK pero sa ganitong paraan lamang naihahanda ang isip naming mga kabataan sa pagkaharap sa pulitika. hindi kailangang alisin ang SK dahil ang kailangan ng ating mga SK ay ang tulong at gabay mula sa mga nakatataas sa kanila… kailangang maihanda kaming mga kabataan sa pagtahak sa MATUWID daw NATING DAAN….
- Mighty
  
  Magandang argument dean. In an ideal world, okay ang SK. Pero kelangang tumayo ng mga kabataan at patunayan na kaya nilang gumawa ng mabuti para sa ibang mga kabataan at para sa bayan. Yun nga lamang, madalas, nagiging extension ng political dynasties ang SK.
  - jean javier
    
    were going to have a debate next can you help me with my topic?? which id should the minimum age of SK voters from 15-18 be increased to 16-21 years old.?
Pingback: 25 Program Ideas for Sangguniang Kabataan and Other Youth Organizations | Transformational Leadership
http://www.TopRatedWrinkleCreams.net Monica the Anti-Wrinkle Cream Queen

As it is said “the SK has GREAT POTENTIALS” that is if they truly do their work efficiently without being corrupt as well. I admit, I do not think that there has to be SK anymore, it just adds to the budget of the government and we still can’t see anything they have done yet. They should just focus on their studies than with this stuff.
- lily lizel lagahit
  
  help me guys….the issue goes like this ” Sk election 15-18 yrs old can vote how come the 15-18yrs old will be 16-21 are the age of the voters for sk…..
http://petinsurancecomparisons.co Pat

If the SK party does not really empower the young people, perhaps it is just meeting a need in their lives to feel like they make a difference in their government, even if they really don’t. Since most agendas and lies come to light sooner or later, only legitimate organizations should be allowed to continue.