The Irrelevance of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK)

Or Youth Council

By Apolinario Villalobos

There was a call to scrap the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or Youth Council because it has been proven that it is limited to social and sports activities of the youth sector of the community that can be handled by a regular council member. There is a popular allegation that the young officers become exposed to the anomalies committed by the elder officials. Worst, most of these young officials are sons and daughters of the barangay, town, and city officials, themselves. Their salary and other form of remuneration eat up part of the budget that could be used in relevant and useful projects.

The original concept of the Youth Council during the time of Marcos is far different from what is prevailing today. Before, the Youth Councils are busy in “real” civic projects such as cleanliness, beautification and values development. The young officers really go out and organize clean-up brigades in communities where they belong. They also organize green brigades that plant tree saplings in the countryside, aside from clean sewage outlets. Today, one is just surprised with a piece of marker nailed to a basketball post announcing that it is the project of the so-and-so Youth Council officer.

Again, even without the Youth Council, the local government can still function as the so-called youth-oriented projects can be assigned to any of the regular council members. Despite this fact, many are wondering why the idea of scrapping such council was not given much attention, especially, as its eradication can reduce the budgetary constraint of the barangay significantly. Is there a BIG reason?