MANILA -- Lawmakers differ views on the proposal of President Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) council and instead have a youth representative elected to the barangay council.

While the SK council found an ally in Kabataan party-list Representative Raymond Palatino, neophyte lawmaker Davao City Representatives Karlo Nograles (first district, Davao City) and

Niel Tupas, Jr. (fifth district, Iloilo) agreed with the proposal of Aquino.

"There is wisdom in that. I believe our youth should concentrate more on their studies, and set their priority on finishing their degree, so they can land a good job or apply their studies later on in leading the nation," Nograles, son of the former House speaker, told Sun.Star.

Nograles added that the youth can instead take part in schools or community associations if they want to pursue leadership roles.

Tupas meanwhile said that the abolition of the SK group would not mean that the youth would lose representation in their respective communities.

"I'm in favor so that we can save cost at the same the youth will still have a voice in the barangay council through their youth representative," Tupas told Sun.Star.(Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)