Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond Palatino hopes that House Bill 1963 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Bill will be passed immediately by the 15th Congress so that when the youth who will seat as new SK officials will be guided by a “strengthened and empowered law”.

“It is better that these SK officials will be off to a good start when they seat as youth leaders. Teach them young how to correct the old practices of traditional politicians,” says the youth solon.

After seeing thousands of youth who are willing to participate in the SK elections during the first few days of the registration, Palatino said that “the more the youth seeks create change in their communities, the more it is necessary for this bill to be passed”.

He adds, “Corruption and inefficient governance are among the major issues causing calls for the SK’s abolition. It is saddening that SK officials, due to the present system, have entered the makings of trapos who engage in corruption and misgovernance but this does not mean we have to kill venues for youth empowerment and governance.”

Palatino filed the SK Reform Bill in the 14th Congress and refiled it again for the 15th Congress last July 29.

According to him, what makes this bill unique is that it underwent consultation and suggestions from the SK national Executive Board, National Youth Commission and community-level SK leaders.

Included in the bill are the following proposals for reforms:

• Changing the age requirement for SK candidates from 15 to 18 years old to 18 to years old to ensure that they have the legal capacity to perform their functions;
• Requiring SK units to deposit their funds in a bank preferably government-owned and granting SK units fiscal autonomy over their allotted budget;
• Requiring SK units to release a quarterly financial report to practice transparency and to curb corruption
• Mandating that the Katipunan ng mga Kabataan (KK) function as the highest policy making body of the SK responsible for holding regular consultations with other youth-based organizations in the community;
• Empowering and encouraging the SK to engage in promoting basic rights such as quality education for all, secure youth employment, sustainable development, human rights and social justice.

Kabataan Partylist also launched their massive information drive on SK elections and registration called Ayos! The said campaign will be implemented in every community on a nationwide scale to promote the youth’s participation in governance.

“Ayos! will be characterized by educational and fun activities that will tackle the functions and roles of the SK, as well as the SK Reform Bill. It is very vital that the youth participate in the SK elections,” he said. ###