SK: Abolish or Reform?

The Local Government Code of 1991, specifically under Book III, Chapter 8 - 10 thereof, mandates the creation of Sangguniang Kabatan or SK and provides for its structure, the qualifications and terms of office, the powers and duties, as well as, privileges of its officers.  Through this mandate, the youth can actively participate in the nation-building as powered by section 13, article II of the 1987 Constitution 'that the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect its physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs." and thus the participation of the youth is very vital in shaping the nation's political system because at young age they shall be able to actualize the political processes of the government; how it works; what is to be done; what best mechanism should be used in attaining political, economic stability of local governments.   

However, the political and moral orientation of the youth has extremely went degenerating nowadays.   I suppose, based on general observation,  that youth who are aspiring to be an SK  are mostly likely driven by greed or hastiness to handle the IRA or allocated, procured and bequeath budget from past SK administration to engage and/or conduct  various vivacious activities, petty and superficial projects which are not conducive or even enough to leap unto development and essential changes in the society. 

 Sen Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. had said 'there is a general observation that the SK under the present structure has lost its effectiveness in advancing democratic ideals of service-oriented leadership." He cited further, "that reports that SK leaders have become so politicized and susceptible to dishonest practices in handling public funds that are entrusted to them for the projects and programs intended for the welfare of their constituents."

The worst phenomenon, candidates for SK position have been more focused on how to win through matching draw-lottery tricks and even involved in various anomalies, like vote buying, induced for cheating and even killings in order that the position may be serve on the best man left , rather than how serve with visions and with expertise of administration or at least has political background or who had been educated of political science.  

We could even imagine that the people's money in form of tax is, was and will be used in such meaningless activities of the SK today.  Nevertheless, I contend that there is nothing wrong with the involvement of the youth in public and civic affairs, in fact, it is the best gift democracy could ever offered.  The defect is in our system itself, the system produces such leaders.  It maintains  a crooked political culture instead by not offering an empowerment to the youth, the lack of opportunity to bring them (youths) closest to the law.  It  (SK) becomes a hub of corruption and a training ground for corrupt, opportunist, and tyrant leaders.

As a conclusion therefrom, it should be reformed.  Thereby empowering the youth; a change of structure and processes; and above all a constant practice of professionalism wherein accountability, integrity, clarity of purpose, independence, transparency and effectiveness are introduced, inculcated, endowed, be practice, and strictly assessed and evaluated.  According to Sen. Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos, "there are strong clamor from different sectors of the society calling for the restructuring and in-depth evaluation of the SK, and Institute reform therein."