SK useless, study confirms

A STUDY came out confirming the general perception that the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) has no positive contribution to society, a breeding ground for corrupt politicians and an outlet where funds are wasted and filched. The findings are contained in a paper released by the Policy Research Monitoring Division of the National Youth Commission (NYC).

The NYC criticized the ineffectiveness of SK leaders and their non-preparedness for public service. It also concluded that the SK is focused too much on sports and does not truly serve the interests of the youth. Worse, SK officials at their early age are already exposed to traditional politics and corruption.

“The SK did not serve its main functions such as to create resolution to carry out youth objectives, initiate programs for holistic development among the youth and to consult and coordination with youth organizations for policy formulation and program implementation …” the study said.

The national SK Federation admitted to its faults. In its own situational analysis, planning and implementation, monitoring and evaluation, it found truthfulness on the perception that the SK is not performing well as it should. This the SK attributed to vague policies and inadequate information dissemination.

Another interesting fact is the low participation of youths in SK activities. At present, there are only 293,615 young people aged 15-21 who are directly involved in SK activities. Most of them are officials of SK and Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK). This leads to low voter turnout during SK elections.

The findings has prompted NYC to come up with a reform bill on the SK amending certain provisions of the Local Government Code and amending RA 8044 or the Youth in Nation-Building Act. The reforms aim to strengthen SK by creating a National Youth Development Fund and increasing the SK ex officio NYC commissioners from one to four.

Lakas-CMD rally in Palompon draws crowd

Mayoralty candidate Eulogio "Yoly" Tupa

Supporters choose to stay even past midnight during the rally of Lakas CMD candidates in Palompon town last April 16 at Brgy. San Isidro (Lo-ok). The crowd waited for the arrival of the congressman, Eufrocino "Dodong" Codilla who arrived at past 11:00 pm and delivered his campaign speech with thunderous applause from the supporters. The solon has implemented various projects in almost all barangays in this town.

After the congressman’s speech, it was the turn of mayoralty candidate, Eulogio “Yoly” Tupa, former vice mayor who dropped bombshell by lambasting the present administration’s vindictive attitude to its oppositions. Tupa told Palomponganons that the town needs the “change of leadership”. Next to Tupa, was Board Member Herville Pajaron’s provoking revelation on the anomalies in the municipal government, that caught the attention of everyone even if it was already past 12:00 midnight.

The crowd number even increases as Pajaron dropped more bombshells at Oñate’s administration. But when Pajaron told the supporters that more revelations will be presented on April 21 during the proclamation rally, because it was already past midnight, they shouted “dili pa kami katugon, maminaw pa mi” (we are not yet sleepy, we will listen”. So, the board member went on in his tirade and told the voters to choose wisely, “kay bililhon kaayo ang matag-usa nato ka boto”, he said.

The crowd turnout was unexpected to many, because it was not yet the proclamation rally sources revealed. Congressman Codilla, the day after the rally, told this writer, “wa ko magdahom ingon niato diay kadaghang tawo” referring to the rally in Lo-ok, just 1 kilometer from the poblacion and most of the supporters who showed up are elderly and residents of the poblacion. Rene Ellorango, campaign organizer said that they did not fetched (hakot) supporters because it was not the meting de avance yet, but the people present are estimated to be more than 2,000. Arnel Villarente, also a campaign organizer described the number of supporters as “mas daghan pa kaysa kaniadto nga mga rally”.