COUNTING ON THE SK

Many have waited for today’s elections, for the chance to elect a new set of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) leaders in the barangay. The SK is a platform for young leaders to serve their fellow youth, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. Likewise, the SK is also a platform for the youth to raise concerns affecting them. After the SK election was suspended eight years ago, that chance to vote for new leaders has finally come. So what do we expect from the new SK officials? These readers share.

I expect more educated and more service-oriented youth who are well aware of the responsibilities that come with their position. This new term for the SK leaders, now with a higher age inclusion, is a chance to change the system for the betterment of the youth, especially at this time when there are more youth getting involved in illegal activities.

RIANNE MAER ROSAS MANAGBANAG, 20, MASS COMMUNICATION GRADUATE

After eight years, the SK is back! What I expect from this election is for to it yield better SK officials—a group of people who are competent and have good character. I hope that the new SK Reform Law will help the SK officials prove that they are worthy of a position in government and not just a waste of the people’s money or a ground for corruption. Also, I’d like to see feasible, sustainable developmental and practical projects that can really empower the youth, not only sports liga or beauty pageants that are just one-time, for-fun-only programs.

HAZEL JOY CABANTE, 21, DEBATER

I expect the youth running for this SK election to really empower the youth and have platforms that can help the youth, especially with mental health issues, since this age group is vulnerable to depression and suicidal attempts. There should also be more activities that can improve the youth’s social skills and interaction with other people to prepare them for the real world.

JUSTY MAURE Y. MONTEJO, 20, BA- PSYCHOLOGY GRADUATE

I am positive that the youth this time will be given more importance through the improved SK. Hopefully, my fellow young leaders would also do their job in deciding what is good for the betterment of many without getting politicized and tarnished by traditional politicians.

MARK ROLAND ROMAS, 20, YOUTH ADVOCATE

For this SK Election, I expect wiser candidates who are equipped with proper knowledge and perspective when it comes to leading and empowering today’s youth. I expect these set of leaders to think more of long term projects for the youth of their respective barangay rather than petty ones as practiced in the past.

ANSYLLE MAE BONTUYAN, 20, FRESH GRADUATE