www.skreformcoalition.wordpress.com

www.akbayanyouth.wordpress.com

 
The  Sangguniang  Kabataan  is  still  a  potential  progressive  platform  for  the  youth  to  engage  
in  governance.  If  reformed,  it  can  also  help  deepen  the  participation  of  young  Filipinos  in  
the   political   process   and   in   our   political   discourse   in   an   arena   –   the   barangay   –     that   is  
relevant  and  meaningful.  

Corruption  and  incompetence,  the  reasons  behind  the  call  for  the  abolition  of  the  SK,  are  
not   age-­‐based   but   a   product   of   institutional   flaws   –   lack   of   transparency   and  
accountability.   It   must   be   stressed   that   corruption   in   the   SK   does   not   begin   among   the  
youth,  but  from  older  public  officials  in  the  barangay.  

Meaningful  youth  participation  must  be  affirmed  and  institutionalized  in  our  democracy.  
SK   is   designed   to   provide   token   and   trivial   representation,   with   young   officials   at   the  
barangay  working  on  limited  issues  only  –  sports  and  development,  for  instance.  

The  bill  is  a  product  of  several  consultations,  among  them  the  NAPC  Youth  and  Students  
Sector  consultations,  AKBAYAN’s  Youth  Agenda  Forum,  other  gatherings  and  meetings  in  
different  campuses  .  It  must  be  noted  that  the  process  is  youth-­‐led  and  youth-­‐oriented.  

The  following  are  the  provisions  and  reforms  that  the  SK  Reform  and  Empowerment  Bill  
is  pushing  for:    

• Strengthen   the   Katipunan   ng   Kabataan   (KK   or   Youth   General   Assembly),   which  

traditionally  has  the  limited  role  of  electing  the  SK  officials.  Under  the  bill,  the  KK  
becomes   the   highest   policy-­‐making   body,   approves   SK   projects   and   programs  
(including  incentives  to  SK  officials),  has  clearer  mechanisms  for  regular  meetings  
and   allow   proportional   representation   in   huge   barangays,   and   can   censure,  
reprimand  and  remove  SK  officials.  
• The   bill   creates   the   Barangay   Youth   Development   Council,   which   is   comprised   of  
youth   organizations   at   the   barangay.   It   is   mandated   to   create   the   youth  
development  plan,  which  shall  serve  as  the  basis  of  programs  of  SK.  
• The   bill   also   redefines   the   mandate   of   the   Sangguniang   Kabataan.   SK   has   to   be  
convened   in   a   more   systematic   and   regular   manner   for   the   approval   of   projects  
and   to   report   to   the   Katipunan   ng   Kabataan.   Enhanced   mandate   to   include  
expanding   youth   participation,   accessible   education,   youth   employment,   active  
citizenship,  sexual  and  reproductive  rights,  and  sustainable  development  
• To  prevent  corruption,  SK  Chair  cannot  be  below  18  years  old.  In  our  experience,  
SK   chair   that   are   under   the   age   of   majority   are   oftentimes   influenced   by   corrupt  
officials   because   they   themselves   cannot   enter   into   contracts   and   has   to   employ  
gatekeepers,  etc.  
• The   bill   gives   the   SK   fiscal   autonomy.   The   funds,   instead   of   being   handled   by  
barangay  officials  who  oftentimes  negotiate  for  kickbacks,  will  be  handled  by  the  
SK  itself,  provided  that  they  regularly  report  to  the  Katipunan  ng  Kabataan.  
• The   introduces   equal   and   fair   access   to   youth   participation   through   an   anti-­‐
political   dynasty   clause,   thus   affirming   Sec.   26,   Art.   II   of   the   Philippine  
Constitution.  
• The  bill  expands  participation  to  young  Filipinos  who  are  15  to  25  years  old.