Tuesday, December 18, 2007 Oledan: Interventions By Radzini Oledan Slice of Life
THE idea is truly ahead of its time; a pioneering effort that sets the country apart from the others.
Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code created the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in 1991. The unspoken goal was to bridge generations of leaders by helping new ones emerge.
The law sets the stage for the youth to acquire leadership skills, learn how to speak and be heard in the world of adults and be empowered to create programs and policies that will ensure a safer and more caring environment for them.
All over the world, the Philippines is the only country to have a grassroots-based, government funded political structure for young people.
But lo, the hope to have the youth take charge of their own affairs is clearly dampened by existing political realities! The system itself introduces the young and idealistic to political patronage and maneuvering, instead of nurturing and strengthening their idealism.
It has also been criticized for not being able to go past the boundary of the basketball courts. In short, it has not engendered genuine youth participation.
In Congress, House Bill 185 was filed to seek the SK's abolition, while the SK Reform Bill introduces changes to the law.
Local dialogue with children and youth, under UNICEF's Countrywide Programme for Children, showed that the performance of SK is generally weak especially in terms of coming up with legislations, promoting the development of young people and in the conduct of consultations with their constituents.
SK officers and members pointed out to the glaring political interventions in the barangay, which stunt their full potential. In most cases, the SK is manipulated in advancing political agenda.
This lack of faith in the SK could be borne out of the lack of understanding of their responsibilities and the fact that they are also unable to navigate through the bureaucracy, create a development plan and encourage other youth to participate.
SK members have also complained on how SK becomes mere 'consultative bodies' without real power to implement.
This only shows that the degree and quality of support and assistance to the young people matters. Until now, there is still a low level of understanding and lukewarm appreciation for children's rights and young people's participation.
The SK is a challenge to the youth to step up and seize the opportunity to lead and be heard. But it is also an even greater challenge to us adults to listen to them intently and to guide them well.
Indeed, the success and failure of SK as a mechanism for youth participation in governance will depend on how we create an enabling environment for positive youth engagement! (Email comments to roledan@gmail.com.)
