Deeply
frustrated over the failure of the Sangunniang Kabataan to fulfill its mandate
as an effective instrument in carrying out the national youth agenda, House
Assistant Minority Floor Leader Gilbert Remulla has proposed it's abolition as
the government's mainstream youth organization.
In filing House Bill No. 4234, Remulla sought to amend Republic Act 7160 with the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan as he pointed out that 10 years after it was formally established, serious doubts remain whether it has been able to mobilize the youth to carry out the national vision and program.
It (SK) has failed to become the mainstream youth organization that government envisioned it to be. Its role as the principal vehicle of the Filipino youth in fulfilling its sectoral goals was put to naught. So much time, resources and energy were wasted, Remulla explained.
Instead of electing an entire SK council, Remulla proposed the election of a lone youth representative who would sit as a regular council member in the barangay level.
Those who would be elected as youth representatives in the barangay level would elect among themselves who would represent them in the Sangguniang Bayan or Sangguniang Panlungsod. On the other hand, those who would be elected to represent the youth in their respective town and city councils would elect among themselves who would represent them in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The young Cavite congressman said the youth representatives who would be elected in various local government units will have the same power and privilege with the other members of their respective councils.
Remulla said that this would spare the government millions of government funds during SK elections nationwide. He added that his proposed measure would also simplify the process of electing youth representatives in various local government units.
I really hope that this proposal is enacted in time for the next election on May. This should help solve the funding problem that is now being raised in the coming barangay elections, Remulla said.
He added that he intends
to file another measure, which would require the automatic representation of the
youth sector in Congress to really empower the youth in national governance.
It is really disappointing that not a single youth sectoral group
managed to make it through the last national election. This should be addressed
with the automatic allocation of a sectoral seat for the youth in Congress,
he said.