SK polls to give youth chance to implement reforms

PNA photo

MANILA — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has welcomed the announcement of Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III that the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections this May would proceed as scheduled.

DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año said this would give the youth a chance to implement their own reforms and development in their communities.

“There is so much potential for genuine change with the anticipated implementation of (the) SK Reform Act as the youth will lead the way to electoral reforms in the country and initiate their own political reforms and development in their communities,” Año said. “If we don’t hold the elections, we are missing out the opportunity to give the youth a chance to meaningfully contribute to barangay development.”

The SK Reform Act raised the age requirement of SK officials from 15-17 years old to 18-24 years old for the young public administrators to legally enter into contracts and be held liable for any violation of the law.

It also mandates the DILG and the National Youth Commission (NYC) to jointly design and implement the mandatory and continuing training programs for SK officials.

This includes capability building on leadership, program and project development and sustainability, financial management, and accountability and transparency.

The filing of certificates of candidacy for the Barangay and SK elections is set on April 14-20.

Año said holding the Barangay and SK elections is “very important for the nation”, as this would finally implement the SK Reform Act “under a new set of youth leadership”.

Among the progressive provisions of the SK Reform Act is its anti-dynasty provision, the first in Philippine history.

The SK Reform Act says an SK candidate “must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected”.