While preparations are on-going for the 2023 barangay elections, which will be held this coming October, Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for his proposal to create a national federation for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).
Senate Bill No. 1058, which Gatchalian filed last year, seeks to amend the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 (Republic Act No. 10742) to create at the national level the Nasyonal na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan. This national federation will be composed of the elected presidents of the Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan.
Under Republic Act No. 10742, the Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan is composed of the convenors of the Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan, which could either be the Pambayan or Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan. The Pambayang Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan is composed of SK chairpersons of barangays in a municipality, while the Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan is composed of SK chairpersons of barangays in the city.
Gatchalian’s proposal also provides that the duly elected president of the Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan at all levels shall serve as ex officio members of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines. Under the present law, the SK federation presidents only serve as ex officio members of the Sangguniang Bayan, the Sangguniang Panlungsod, and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, respectively.
In filing the proposed measure, Gatchalian acknowledged how the SK has provided the youth with an avenue for participation in various levels of local government, particularly in local legislation and implementation of programs and projects. He pointed out, however, that under Republic Act No. 10742, no national organization was created for the SK, which could further strengthen its vital role in nation-building.
Gatchalian added that a national SK federation will promote more effective networking and consensus-building to address issues on governance and project implementation.
“Isinusulong natin ang paglikha ng Nasyonal na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan upang lalo pa nating mapalakas ang pakikilahok ng ating mga kabataan sa pamamahala sa ating bansa. Kung mapapatatag natin ang ugnayan sa pagitan ng ating mga opisyal sa SK, mas mapapatatag natin ang kanilang kakayahang tugunan ang mga isyung kinakaharap ng ating mga kabataan,” said Gatchalian.
