CITY OF MATI -- Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said Thursday he is pushing for the reform of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).
Speaking before hundreds of students of Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology here, Marcos, chair of the Senate committee on local government, discussed various issues confronting the youth today.
He introduced the "Youth Development and Empowerment Act of 2014," which aims to establish mechanisms for meaningful youth participation in nation-building.
The measure, he said, is also pushing for strengthening the SK through the creation of the municipal, city and provincial youth development councils.
Some provisions in the bill included extending the age range of youth to an upper limit of 30 years old and the creation of the Local Youth Development Council, which will be composed of two official representatives from different groups, such as those from the Sangguniang Kabataan, Student Council, out-of-school youth, working youth or entrepreneurs, from the community-based organizations, faith-based groups and ideology-based youth organizations for a broader base of representation.
"It is imperative to have youth voice and involvement in the government to prepare them to lead the country in the future," Marcos said.
The SK Election was postponed last year to give way for the creation of a new system for youth involvement and the new date for the election is set between October 28, 2014 and February 2015.