MANILA — An official of the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday that previous postponements of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections might have dampened the youth’s interest to participate in this year’s youth council poll.
“May ilang years nang walang SK so yung gap na yun is a contributory item dito kung bakit maraming hindi nag-file ng candidacy (There had been no SK for years so that gap is a contributory item here why many did not file candidacy),” DepEd Undersecretary Alain Del Pascua told a press briefing.
Del Pascua added the youth might have been uninspired by “an avalanche of information that the youth council is not doing anything”.
“The youth have not been inspired by these news, by these comments from regional and national sources…SK Reform Act has been passed and kokonti ang information na nailabas tungkol dito kaya hindi yan napaabot sa mga kabataan sa ngayon (few information were released about this and they did not reach the youth),” he said.
Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said the anti-political dynasty bill is another factor to consider.
“Madalas naririnig ko ay ang anti-pol dynasty was a big factor in this ang daming na-disqualify (I often hear the anti-pol dynasty was a big factor in this as many got disqualified) because they were related to incumbent public officials,” Malaya said.
“Isa pang dahilan, naka enroll sa eskwelahan at walang oras (Another factor is they are enrolled in school and they have no time),” he added.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Del Pascua said the training, which would address the issues concerning the non-performance and corruption cases of previous SK officials, is mandated in the reformed SK Reform Act.
“It is one of the institutional changes included in the SK. Right after their election, there will be a mandatory training where core values, governance, etc. is taught,” Del Pascua said.
He added the age limit of SK candidates was adjusted in response to such issues.
“Dati kase below 18 kaya wala silang responsibility in holding the funds or approving the projects ngayon binigay na yan sa SK kasi nasa age of majority na ang mga officials na mahahalal (Previously below 18 so they don’t have responsibility in holding the funds or approving the projects now given to SK because the elected officials will be in age of majority),” he said.