Representatives from the SK Reform Coalition and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Jessie Robredo on Tuesday agreed to amend the Local Government Code of 1991, particularly the creation of Sanggunian Kabataan, Katipunan ng mga Kabataan and its powers and duties.
“The coalition appreciates the fact that the DILG provided time for this dialogue and to finally settle confusion on the issue of SK abolition,” said Akbayan Youth president Machris Cabreros after the dialogue which lasted for more than an hour.
According to Cabreros, the DILG secretary committed not to abolish SK but to carry out massive reform measures to empower the institution.
Among the salient points which the youth representatives and the DILG secretary agreed on was raising the age bracket of youth participants from 15-17 to 15-25. The two groups agreed to this in order to broaden participation and representation of the sector.
Also agreed during the consultation was the creation of a Youth Consultative Body or Youth Development Council, which will be composed of local youth organizations in the barangay. This body will act as the youth development arm of the barangays.
These agreements are included in the SK Reform and Empowerment Bill (House Bill no. 468) of Akbayan Party filed by its representative, Arlene Bag-ao, and Walden Bello last July 1 which will be enhanced with the agreed amendments and submitted in a draft bill by DILG to Malacanang.
Among the salient points in the Akbayan-proposed law is the widening of the age range from 15-17 to 15-25 years old, institutionalizing of an accountability mechanism through regular Katipunan ng Kabataan or Barangay Youth Development Council meetings; strengthening of SK leaders and its youth constituency and the introduction of an anti-dynasty clause.
Also with Cabreros in the dialogue held at the DILG office were Akbayan Youth secretary general Marlon Cornelio, SK Reform Coalition spokesperson John Tobit Cruz, First Time Voters Convenors Emman Perez and Tristan Bringas and Student Council Alliance of the Philippines executive board Member Liza Dizon.
