Ever since its creation more than a decade ago, I have always had mixed feelings about the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK or Philippine Youth Councils). It was a breakthrough idea that aimed to produce breakthrough leaders who can break the political and moral barriers of corruption and patronage politics. More recently however, my stand has been unequivocal. Either the law is completely overhauled or we junk the SK system once and for all. Now, lawmakers seeking the latter have filed proposed laws in Congress.
These moves alone are good signs of changes that should come. Not so much because they are all calling for the abolition of the SK but more than that, they put the public lenses of scrutiny on the issue of youth empowerment and calls the attention of the general public to a system we had put so much promise on but ended up being corrupted by the system it was aimed to monitor and cleanse. With these initiatives in Congress, the nation must truly and collectively reflect just how we can help prepare our youths for genuine democratic good governance.
My opinion emanates from research and my personal experiences in dealing with these so-called youth representatives at various levels, on various occasions, and for differing reasons. Many SK leaders then and now would clearly attest to the futility of the system in terms of preparing the youths for governance. They are simply too young, too naive, and too prone to corruption and co-optation. In short, they are defenseless against the system. Yes, the SK has produced community and even national leaders. But of what quality? And for whose benefits?
Instead of producing youth leaders of quality, the SK system has perpetuated and even supported the very system it was aimed to alter if not totally change if not now, at least in the near future. But more than a decade after, the SK has become an integral part of the patronage politics in the country that run at all levels of governance. From the barangay, to federation level of the municipal and city levels, to provincial and national levels, elections of SK officials have always been marred by intimidation, corruption, and outright bribery. SK officials have shamelessly adopted the detestable Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) cut or commissions in all youth projects and programs they administer and implement.
For all the good intents and purposes it had, the SK has come to mean Samahang Kurap (for those who turn a blind eye to the corruption in their barangays) at best and Samahang Kurakot (for those who are co-opted by the systemic culture of corruption) at worst.
Whatever happens to the plenary debates about these proposals in Congress, the SK system – in its present form – must go. There can be no way around this truth. That is the only way for us to seek another alternative path to youth empowerment.
The ‘Samahang Kurap’ and the ‘Samahang Kurakot’ truly exist. I for myself saw the youth dilemma. I am an elected SK official and I am sad to say that I belong to the ‘Samahang Kurap’. I and my co-officials can’t utter any word against our local government for we are afraid to what they can do to us and/or our family. And I know for sure that many of my colleagues in SK are also experiencing the same problem. Now I know why the Congress has this need to abolish the institution we represent. We, the youth, aren’t behaving the way we should be as envisioned by the law. While I am sad to see the institution I am representing go, I’m hoping that the abolishment of the Sangguniang Kabataan marks the start of the formulation of a better and genuine youth institution that truly represents the idealism of youth empowerment.
There are also a lot of proposals for SK Reform and I think i will go for the reform of SK than to completely abolish it. The purpose of forming the SK is really good but of course as we can see they are really not effective. The age of SK members can’t make them accountable enough to make a proper step on their projects specially on handling their funds. The SK is not aware of their rights and i think some of them haven’t even read the constitution and bylaws of SK. Katipunan ng Kabataan are not really known and not organized as well. Yes! Corruption is there and every one tolerates it; they are not informed and not empowered to make a stand on issues even the SB (Sangguninang Barangay) is just manipulating these youths.. if it only youth leaders handle know and can handle their responsibility effectively, the SK can definitely can make big changes in governance.
“IF ONLY Sangguniang Kabataan IS REALLY AN INDEPENDENT BODY AS IT SHOULD BE, I don’t think we’ll be named — SAMAHANG KURAP…”
Samahang Kurap??..painful but generally true. But do not blame us alone,, blame the people behind us and the people mandating us to be “Kurap”— the system, the concepts, the malpractices. In as much as we would like to change the system,, it seems that it is the system that is changing us. Few years ago, in our school news paper when I was in high school, I have written a poem condemning corrupt and insufficient gov’t officials regarding the crisis of the Philippines and the suffering of the Filipino people,,, but now….I see myself condemning myself. I supposed to be somehow powerful, influential, vocal but I’m the opposite. Powerful? definitely not,,because my supposed to be power does not merely lies on me but to the people above me. Influential? not again, because instead of influencing the youth, it was me who was being influenced not by the youth but of these “oldies” (no need to mention) . And lastly, vocal??? i don’t think so. I’m talktative,, yes, but vocal in the sense that my opinions are being heard and granted? a big NO.
Ergo, I believe in reforming the SK if not the total aboliton of it. I believe that the formation of SK is in good purpose but was being misinterpreted by the people. If there will be a votation regarding SK reform, I’ll be the first one to register myself and vote. Why? Because I don’t wanna see another me– once innocent, and now…..???
If only, Sangguniang Kabataan is really an independent body as it should be,, I don’t think we’ll be named — SAMAHANG KURAP…
i myself is also an official and i must admit that SK being named as samahang kurakot or samahang kurap has slightly been true. slightly because it really depends on the people whom you are voting for if they will have to exercise or to become what critiques are actually naming them. yes, we are young, naive..but that’s what we have to overcome as we become youth leaders. well, determination goes along with responsibility. if we really are determined to create change and we are responsible enough to govern, nothing is impossible.
although as what aleq said, there really are people who instead of us being powerful, we end up just like them, a photocopy of them actually. corrupt officials. a public servant who tends to serve himself and attends to his needs first before that of the constituency.
but what we really have to do is to become determined agents of change..being an optimistic SK official and a youth..nothing is really impossible if we put our collective mind and effort into something we value =)
ako po ay isang sk chairman samin..para sakin.,ang sk ay hindi samahang kurakot..kc saming barangay..active ang sk..kaya namn walang ngiging problema..mas maganda kung ang pamahalaan ay magbibigay ng pansin kaukulan para dito..ano kaya kung magdagdag cla ng trainings for sk para malamn ng kapwa natin sk officials ang kanyang responsibilidad as sk..for ex..magcoordinate sa NYC o nat’l youth commission para mas madevelop ang skills ng mga youth,,..i’m an optomistic person..aside before i run for this position to serve my constituents so that as the time comes..ang aking serbisyo sa kapwa ko ay makatulong sa kanila..
maging optimistic tau!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!