Imee on SK reform: Restore youth volunteerism


	Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos casts her votesduring the October 28 barangay elections at the Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte. (Alaric A. Yanos, PGIN-CMO )

By Jennifer T. Pambid

PGIN-CMO

Ilocos Norte Governor Ma. Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, former chairperson of Kabataang Barangay, predecessor of the Sangguniang Kabataan, proposed to remove the monetary funding for the youth and inculcate in them the spirit of volunteerism after Senate Chairperson of the Committee on Local Government Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos recommended the reformation of SK instead of abolishing it.

During the Committee Hearing on SK postponement on October 1, 2013, the governor cited the importance of having youth involvement in the nation-building. However, she also mentioned the significance of removing them from financial matters to isolate them from corruption issues.

Realizing that 15-17 year-old youth are not capable of handling funds and are likely to be controlled by politicians, the former KB chairperson agrees with the National Youth Commission in adjusting the SK age range to 18-30.

However, other proposals were considered whether the age range should lie between 18-25, 15-25 or 15-30.

Another reason for altering the range from 15-17 is that elected SK officials cannot be charged of criminal acts such as corruption because they are only minors.

She further suggested that the youth should undergo leadership training without wages in return for their service that is, volunteerism which was the original essence of the group.

According to her, the citizenship training of the KB before was similar to the experience of guerillas and katipuneros.

In this way, the youth can be barred from becoming traditional politicians, honing them as active participants in community service.

“Just train them. That’s the best investment into future leadership that anyone can make,” Marcos said.

She further proposed that the funds allotted for SK coming from the 10% of the total internal revenue allotment share should be thrown back to barangay funds to be used for youth scholarships, technical-vocational education, livelihood and employment, PhilHealth and death benefits, the same with the benefits of the former KB— taking their focus away from their present projects such as tree planting, sports activities, beauty contests and the like.

The establishment of the first youth council named Kabataang Barangay began in 1975 through the governance of the former President Ferdinand E. Marcos to uphold youth involvement in the government.

This council was then replaced by Sangguniang Kabataan and the first SK elections were held on 1992.

However, it was observed that youth involvement was not serving its original purpose prompting the SK reformation and the postponement of SK elections scheduled with October 28, 2013 barangay elections.

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