Friday, July 13, 2007 Speak out: Abolish the SK By Winifredo P. Eribal
IT has been the hope of our people that a new breed of young, genuine, dedicated leaders will rise in the rural areas from the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).
But there are SKs that failed to maximize the talents and services of their members.
Thus, it would be better to abolish the organization. It is a waste of people’s money.
The SK or youth council is the governing body of the youth assembly or Katipunan ng Kabataan in a barangay.
They are voted upon in elections conducted by the Commission on Elections.
The primary objective of the SK is to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and physical development of the youth in the country.
This is based on the 1987 Constitution’s mandate.
Section 13, Article 11 notes that the state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well being.
It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.
It promulgates resolutions needed to carry out the objectives of the youth in the barangay.
It holds fund raising activities, the proceeds of which shall be tax exempt and shall accrue to the SK general funds.
It consults and coordinates with all youth organizations in the barangay for policy formulation and program implementation.
It is authorized to sponsor annual sports fests such as basketball and volleyball during summer vacations.
The SK chairman is automatically ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Barangay upon his assumption to office.
As ex-officio member, he/she exercises the same powers, discharges the same duties and functions and enjoys the same privileges as the regular Sangguniang Barangay members, and shall be chairman of the committee on youth and sport development.
The SK receives ten per cent of the general fund of the barangay.
It can hold fund raising activities and can receive contributions.
But despite these privileges and power, the SKs did not often sponsor activities in the province.
In the barangay where I live, I have not seen significant activities sponsored by the SK.
It did not even handle a simple annual basketball or volleyball tournament for the youth.
It failed to “clean and green” our barangay.
It could not mount stage plays against drugs, etc.
I therefore say that, nationwide, the SK failed.
It lacks political will to implement its tasks.
As a taxpayer and concerned citizen, I am therefore for the abolition of the SK.
It has become a “milking cow” of its officers and members.
