Saturday, November 03, 2007
Autonomy sought in use of SK funds
EACH community’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) gets guaranteed funds, its 10 percent share of the barangay’s coffers.
But when barangay officials use these funds in other ways, such as buying garbage trucks or gasoline, the SK’s programs get hindered.
That’s why the SK national federation is pushing for reform so that the use of the youth organization’s funds wouldn’t need the approval of other barangay officials.
“When you can empower the youth, when you see them participate in the programs such as the paliga (sports competitions), pageants, feeding, workshops, symposiums and sports fests—these are what I consider our achievements,” said Cristabel Cuizon, the current SK Federation President of Mandaue City.
“Little things, (because) we can’t do big things diretso (straightaway),” she added.
One way to stretch scarce funds is to reach out, such as by conducting activities in schools or by asking registered voters what they think the barangay needs, she suggested.
“The youth have a lot of plans. As a federation, we want each barangay to participate but, as always, the main problem is financial. Each barangay is supposed to pay its annual SK dues, but only a few barangays have paid,” Cuizon said.
Confirmation
Reports about rampant vote-buying in last Monday’s SK elections dismayed Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano. In a forum last Wednesday, he confirmed he heard reports that up to P3,000 per voter was given in some areas to swing votes in favor of certain SK candidates.
Yet cash-starved programs or the use of dirty political tactics were not what lawmakers had in mind when they created the SK.
Each barangay is mandated by law to have its own chapter of the Kati-punan ng Kabataan, which is the SK. It is an offshoot of the Marcos-era Kaba-taang Barangay.
The law empowers the SK to initiate “policies, programs and projects” to develop the youth.
The SK chairperson acts as the chief executive, while the council performs legislative functions.
Since 1992, there have been three nationwide SK elections, with each term lasting five years. (It used to be only three.)
After each poll, federation officers are elected. The federation president serves in the town, city or provincial legislature as an ex-officio member and automatically chairs the committee on youth and sports development.
Subject to audit
The Local Government Code of 1991 provides that 10 percent of the total barangay funds shall be set aside for the SK.
Although the youth group is not required to submit a summary of expenses, its transactions are also subject to audit by the city, town or the Commission on Audit itself, said lawyer Danny Almendras of the Department of Interior and Local Government.
“I want the SK to have a proper, systematic coordination with the city,” said Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, “because there are times that more than one source of funding exists.
(We need to coordinate) to avoid duplication… so we can use the funds for other projects.”
Amid the calls to reform or even abolish the SK, the mayor believes it can still play an important role.
“In addition to influencing policy, the SK empowers young people and taps their potential.
The SK should continue the strong tradition of advocating for the youth and for community change,” Cortes said. (Maricel Aznar Cortes, STC Media Comm Intern)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (November 3, 2007 issue)
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