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| 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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