WIDE VISION: Hope for the future leaders of the nation

A reform that aims to avoid political dynasty and primarily strengthen the governance in the youth sector finally was finally into law by former President Benigno Simeon ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III which is The Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act, which was co-authored and co-sponsored by Sen. Bam Aquino last January 15, 2016.

On the previous SK Election, teenagers ages ? are the only qualified to run and vote for the council but in the new reform, voters arer now 15-30 years old and candidates should be 18-24 years old.

Another change is that relatives up to second degree of consanguinity and affinity of incumbent elected officials are not allowed to run. It simply shows that the reform has the provision to disallow any signs of political dynasty.

During the old implementation of the SK, personally, I witness how some councils work and yes, they might organize events such as palaro during fiesta but it is not enough to call it as a productive project. Aside from that, other traditional projects of the SK are the waiting sheds and welcome marks on every purok or zone and of course, with matching names painted on it plus what even saddens me is that elected officials are most of the time not present in the barangay halls during working days.

But let’s try to ponder on this, does the council has done enough to empower the youth sector or it is just their way of gaining benefits and a shadow of fame? Is this why there’s always been a discussion if the SK has been doing well or just merely an accessory or design that uses amounts of money.

The law even includes that the barangay shall allocate 10% of the budget for the SK. Now, they will have louder voice and fight for the programs that they believe in.

However, some Filipinos believes that the SK is just an extra spice to the barangay government but a lot of people still fight that the voice of the youth should be heard because they are the hope of this nation. If we are going to think deeper, every barangay needs a youth council to facilitate programs and activities that will cater, address and empower the youth.

More or less it’s a good thing that the SK Reform Law is finally here. This will be one of the legacies of the past administration. People in the council will now be older so there is no reason for them not to organize events that will provide interest and participation to the youth in every barangay. Officers will now be more experienced and they will not just serve as an accessory of the barangay council.

Honestly, the SK can really be a great asset in the system all they need to provide is a productive project that would really create a social impact.

In our country, which education and information dissemination is a problem, The Sangguniang Kabataans can be the key to provide education and information to the youth and to the whole barangay since they are the one who has more access to the social media and other information vehicles by doing public relations.

With the reforms, I strongly believe that the Sangguaniang Kabataan’s old ways and system will not be the same anymore. But positive change has already provided by our former president, why should we stop now. Keeping our trust and hope for the youth will not be harmful what this country needs is a massive support for the young adults.

Picturing candidates proposing platforms such as barangay library, information board, barangay publication and a lot more can be a big help to the youth nation. Well, it’s not that bad conduct barn dance and sports fests but these things should just be additional programs as SK should focus on more beneficial and significant.

But in the end, I am hoping that candidates for the October 31 polls will consider this SK Elections as a chance to create concrete, productive and long term changes. Looking further, this change might be the answer for a better governance not just in a single barangay but for the whole nation.

Indeed, change starts in small scale basis. Sooner or later, it can go far beyond if everyone is willing to embrace and cooperate. Essentially, the youth is still our hope because they will be the next leaders of this nation.