SK prexy urges leaders to stop soliciting money

By Mar T. Supnad

The president of the Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation urged all provincial leaders of the Sanggniang Kabataan in the country to refrain from soliciting money and donations to maintain the integrity and credibility of the youth organization.

Assistant secretary Louise Gabriel “Gabz” del Rosario, 16, issued the directive to his provincial and city leaders in a rare but highly laudable move by the SK leadership.

“Sinabihan ni Asec Gabz ang kanyang mga pangulo sa SK na iwasan na lang ang panghihingi ng donation sa mga public officials at iba pa para mapanatili ang respeto ng publiko sa mga Sk lider,” said Bagac, Bataan town Mayor Ramil del Rosario, father of Asec Gabz.

It has become normal practice by SK leaders in soliciting money from local officials, businessmen and others to raise funds for the youth organization due to lack of funds.

But the young del Rosario wanted to initiate reforms not only to professionalize the youth organization but also to maintain respect, credibility and integrity among SK leaders throughout the country.

Mayor del Rosario who is active in assisting his eldest son in various activities of SK in the country, said SKs can raise funds not through solicitations, saying there are other decent ways for them to raise money for their priority programs.

According to Mayor del Rosario, the first priority program of his son Gabz is to nourish and develop kids particularly the out- of- school youth who are less fortunate and the downtrodden.

Second, he said, is to give priority to sports activities such as basketball to develop the youth physically and mentally.

“Mas pakikinabangan kung ang gagawin ng mga SK liders ay magbigay ng prayoridad sa mga OSY, gaya ng pagpapakain dahil mararamdaman ito ng mga mahihirap na bata na halos hindi kumakain ng tatlong beses isang araw dahil sa hirap sa buhay,” pointed out del Rosario.

Recently Asec del Rosario was invited to speak in the Senate where he delivered his speech supporting Arbor Day, a bill being crafted by senators to protect and promote the country’s environment.