What now SK?

EDITORIAL

The government will be forced to go back to the old system of conducting the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections this October once the youth sector continues to show disinterest on proposed reforms being introduced by lawmakers to the SK to improve its image among the Filipino people, according to Sen. Paulo Benigno Bam Aquino IV.

Aquino, chairman of the Senate committee on youth welfare, said it is disappointing to observe in numerous consultations called by his committee there wasoor participation of youth leaders nationwide on proposed reforms in the SK to empower the youth as aggressive sector which could contribute to nation-building.

“Pending bills in both chambers of Congress can easily be passed if senators and congressmen see there is an overwhelming support from concerned sectors. In this case, our country’s young people should come out in the open on their proposals to introduce reforms to the SK and not  wait for what will be offered them as reforms,” Aquino said in Baguio City on July 26 during a gathering of Cordillera youth leaders.

Lawmakers, he added, can only validate desired reforms of the youth to the SK if they attend congressional hearings and voice out their positions on what should be the desired age of the SK among their important issues and concerns.

The senator disclosed main proposal to be addressed is increase of the age of SK officials from current 15 to 17 years old to 18 to 24 with prescribed mandatory leadership and entrepreneurship trainings to prepare young leaders as active members of the community.

Aquino said in municipal, city and provincial meetings, it had been proposed there will be a council of youth leaders that shall be organized and be composed of representatives from youth organizations from schools, churches and other groups that advocate youth welfare and development to serve as advisory council to theSK and make the youth organization a key decision-maker in communities.

“We still have enough time to listen to proposals from the youth sector on how to reform the SK but we want youth leaders to speak out so that those that will be incorporated in the SK reform law will be the desire of the youth for a more effective and efficient SK which will fight for the rights and welfare of the Filipino youth,” he added.

Aquino urged the youth to use latest information and communication technology gadgets to bring to attention of lawmakers their recommendations to the SK reform bill.

He said it would be a waste of time and resources dealing with the SK reform measure without active participation of the youth who are supposed to be primary beneficiaries of the law once passed by Congress.

The senator said it is high time for the youth to be heard in policy-making and decision-making because the average age of a Filipino is now 23 indicating the country has abundant young people who are mature enough to render decisions for betterment of the populace.