SK: To be or not to be
They say the future of good governance rests on the shoulders of the youth and there has never been a better time to invest in young people than now. It is greater to strengthen the Filipino youth to lead, be heard and step up.
The SK or Sangguniang Kabataan is recognition of the potential of children and youth to contribute to national development. It was created to unify the youth and train them to be our next generation of leaders. SK has also been known as training ground to political dynasties. Are they truly wants to run for the SK because of a genuine interest in politics and serving the people?
Our youth is the future of our nation a quote from our national hero Jose Rizal, but what if our youth is already corrupt? The youth is said to be the catalyst of change. But how can exactly can the youth change the present system when he is surrounded by a corrupt system? Philippine political system has been tagged to be corrupt and hopeless. Politics is unhealthy and rights are abused. Most of them are not qualified and their parent teaching their children to buy votes to get elected is a stepping stone to become a great corrupt leader. They can easily seduce by corruption practices or could still belong to dynasty. They force them to adopt the campaign tactic of adults in order to garner enough votes to win in the election.
That is why the SK Reform Coalition and Akbayan Youth proposed the need to increase the age bracket of the youth who can vote and be elected from 15-18 to 15-25; the creation of a youth development council composed of youth organizations in the barangay to serve as a civil society partner and substitute for the SK kagawads, to ensure greater participation and check balance the incorporation of an anti-dynasty provision to limit politicization of the youth; fiscal autonomy and accountability on the youth fund; and incorporation of accountability mechanisms and ground for removal from the office.
I can see the merits in cleansing youth politics. Like one social scientist said, what the Philippines need is to “re-moralize our demoralized society.” The youth has a great to play because the future belongs to them. As a youth we are warrior, we are in the middle of battlefield, a battle of corruption; injustices, inequality, and business monopolize system. We must find the right armour and indestructible shield to succeed. We must wake up and not live by the dreams, prove not only in our race that we can make a difference. We are the catalyst of change, and for me I am very aggressive in making this dream into reality.---Sherane L. Mercado/Our Lady of Fatima University Intern