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Monday, September 20, 2004
Benguet youth council favors election abolition
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Benguet Youth Council Federation president Kristine Grace Yubos expressed support to the abolition of the Youth Council and barangay elections as the Provincial Board approved a proposal postponing the said activities.
Proponent Board Member Juan Nazarro Jr. said the deferment of the election processes would tantamount to at least P2 billion savings for the government.
The measure came following a memorandum from the Department of Interior and Local Government secretary Angelo Reyes to do a study to determine the stand of local government units on the possible postponement the elections.
As per House bills 2458 and 1069, elections shall be held on the last Monday of October 2007 or second Monday of November 2007.
The board supported the planned postponement but sought that barangay elections shall be synchronized with the local elections in May 2007.
The proposal came with the observation of Board Member Lizo Agpas who said that since electing members of the barangay council is partisan process, "it is only proper that the election should be held simultaneously with the local elections."
The board also endorsed extending the term of office of barangay officials from three years to five years.
"The holding of barangay elections five years thereafter will give more time and opportunity for barangay officials to properly implement their development plans and serve the constituents well," the resolution stated.
It added that "elections very often will hamper and postpone the full implementation of any projects in the barangay because of the regular change in barangay officials, but elections every five years thereafter will give more ample time for any incumbent barangay officials to focus on development and economic programs and projects that leads to its fullest implementation redounding good benefits to the barangays and its constituents."
Meanwhile, Yubos opined that while she is supportive of postponing the Youth Council elections, she also favors its abolition.
Yubos said that by joining politics, the youth's education is being compromised.
Citing her experience, Yubos said that politics only exposed young members of the society to corruption.
The Youth Council president qualified that while it may not be true in Benguet, majority of youth officials in the country expressed disappointment over corruption taking place in their respective areas, adding "it would be better for the youth to continue and finish their education to become better leaders."
Yubos said that for almost two years as member of the legislative body, her involvement in politics have been limited to endorsing various youth-related undertakings which she thinks help promote the interest of the youth.
She added that while her term is about to be completed, it is only this year that her sector was given an allotment in the province.
Meanwhile, reacting to Yubos's comments, Nazarro opined that, "perhaps, it is high time to abolish the Youth Council elections considering the lack of proper screening mechanism for candidates running during election."
Board Member Aloysius Kato, meanwhile, said he is also in favor of the abolition of the elections. (Tina Sales)
(September 20, 2004 issue)
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