Youth leader rejects call to abolish SK, warns vs silencing young voices

ILOILO – Iloilo’s Provincial Federation of Youth Councils (PPSK) president Esara Aldeguer Javier has pushed back against the proposal of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), warning that doing so would “silence the youth” and deprive them of their rightful voice in governance.

“I don’t agree because SK is the representation of the youth. Di ta man dapat pag i-generalize kay nakita naton sa statement, hambal ya (Remulla) kuno nga kontrolado sang (barangay) kapitan ang SK officials,” Javier told Panay News.

She cited her own experience in her barangay, saying her projects complement those of the barangay captain.

“For example, sa akon nga part, ako kag akon kapitan ga-complement sa mga projects and programs. For example sa youth sector nga program, ginahatag gid na ni Kap sa akon…mga programa nga gina tagaan importansiya,” she said.

Remulla earlier defended his stance, claiming that most SK officials serve only as “accessories” since barangay captains take over their functions.

“So because of the defect of that law, the barangay captains take over most of the functions of the SK, and they’re just made to sign,” he said.

Javier countered that while some youth leaders may be ineffective, many others are delivering results in their communities. She pointed out that SK councils follow proper planning and accountability processes, including drafting annual investment plans and securing Commission on Audit (COA) clearance.

“Within that year, gaubra na kami annual investment plan. So, meaning may ara na kami guidelines or direction kon ano amon nga implement nga project and programs. Tapos, kon magpa-release man kami kon may statement man with regards with funding, indi kami hapos maka pa-release hay, una ga-ubra kami SKCC, muna dapat naka-align man sa aton annual investment plan, and then, of course, may ara kita COA (Commission on Audit),” she explained.

She also highlighted SK’s unique safeguards, such as the anti-political dynasty rule, which she said should not be discarded.

“Kag usually nga makita niyo sa SK lang kita may mga safeguards nga gina pang-ubra, for example, anti-political dynasty, sa SK lang na-implement, sa iban nga positio, wala na ya, that’s why I don’t agree nga i-abolish. Kumbaga daw gindulaan mo na boses ang mga kabataan and gapati gid ko nga kami ang representation nga ga-implement sang projects and programs,” Javier stressed.

As proof of SK performance, she cited the recently held “Paragons Bugal sang Iloilo Awards” during the Linggo ng Kabataan, which recognized outstanding youth leaders.

Instead of abolition, Javier urged capacity-building for underperforming officials.

“Let us not generalize man, kag kon may ara nga problema nga ara sa official, amo pa na ang dapat naton buligan,” she said, adding that they are crafting a “youth seal of local governance” to uphold transparency and proper direction in SK councils.

According to her, consistent mentoring and training will allow SK officials to improve and strengthen youth programs.

“May right direction gid ang aton SK kag gapati gid kita nga indi kami nga indi na sa kalabaon sang term mo, kundi sa gina ubra niyo gid na,” she said.

For Javier, abolishing the SK would mean erasing a vital institution that allows young Filipinos to take part in governance, hone leadership skills, and contribute to community development./PN