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Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Pimentel wants SK abolished
MANILA –- Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said he is in favor of abolishing the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) because of the general observation that it is no longer serving its purpose as a training ground for youth leaders and as a means of getting the youth involved in community development.
Pimentel, however, said an alternative mechanism should be created to ensure continued youth representation in local government units (LGUs).
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He cited persistent reports that SK officials in various barangays have neglected their duties although they continue to receive remuneration.
In several cases, the SK chairmen and other officials are oftentimes not around in their respective towns because they are studying in colleges and universities in Metro Manila and elsewhere.
But the worst cases are the SK leaders who commit corrupt practices, unable to resist the temptation to which they are exposed to in handling public funds that are entrusted to them.
"Given these unsavory reports, we should now consider the abolition of the SK and replace it with some other mechanism," Pimentel said.
He added: "While I am for abolition of the SK, it is not right that we should dissolve it without a replacement because I believe that the youth should not be deprived of representation in the government," he said.
The legislator said even some mayors whose sons or daughters are SK officials have recommended the scrapping of the SK because it is not delivering any services while continuing to receive funding from the government for its operations.
Pimentel said he is disturbed over reports that SK officials are tempted to take advantage of their positions for monetary gains due to the absence of serious efforts to prevent fund irregularities.
"We should not tolerate a situation where they are exposed to or susceptible to wrongdoing especially since they are still in their formative years," he said.
On deferment
Pimentel maintained his stand against the deferment of the barangay and SK elections from October 29 this year to May 2009 as contained in a bill already approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives.
He said this is probably the last elections to be conducted for SK in view of the snowballing move for its abolition in both chambers of Congress.
Since the proposed postponement will automatically result in an additional two-year extension of the term of incumbent SK officials, Pimentel said this is a ridiculous move because practically all of them are past the age bracket (15 to 17 years old) for youth and therefore legally speaking, no longer qualified for the posts.
He cited the observation of Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno that most of the incumbent SK officials are no longer youth but adults aged 25 to 27 years old.
Pimentel also frowned on the reasoning of some congressmen that they want the age requirement for the youth to be increased first before the next election of SK officials.
"They should have done that a long time ago. Why are they proposing to raise the age bracket for the youth when the SK elections are about to be held?" he said. (CPB/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (September 19, 2007 issue)
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