PPCRV warns vs SK being used by political dynasties

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK),or youth council, is fast turning from a vehicle for developing leadership skills among Filipino youths into a tool for extending political dynasties. On Thursday, the Church-based poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said this trend is another reason to abolish the SK and instead have youth representatives in the barangay (village) council. "Pinapasok na ng political dynasties ang kanilang [mga] apo, ang bata nilalagay doon para lalong lumawak ang political control sa grassroots level. 'Di magandang simula yan para sa ating future leaders. Natututo ng maling practice ng politics," PPCRV chairwoman Henrietta de Villa said in an interview on dwIZ radio. (Political dynasties have infiltrated the youth councils. They place their children or grandchildren there to ensure their control at the grassroots level. And the youths are taught a warped sense of politics). "Ang nangyayari masyadong politicized ang involvement ng kabataan sa SK (The involvement of youths in the SK has become too politicized)," she added. She also noted that in many cases, SK members in the province have little time to look after their their duties because they attend schools in Metro Manila. De Villa said the abuse of the SK is similar to some instances of misuse of the party-list system of representation, which had been turned from a vehicle for marginalized sectors into one for political families. "Nakalulungkot, sa party-list ganyan din ang nangyari, maganda ang intention (It is sad that like the party-list system, the SK started with good intentions)," she said. De Villa also reiterated her suggestion that youths still have a voice in the local level, but as elected youth representatives in the village council. In the village council, she said youth representatives will be pressed to perform well. "[Mabuti] magkasama sila sa barangay council para ang kabataan kasali sa policy-building ma-mainstream at di sila nakabukod. Walang mabisang nangyayari sa SK (It will be better if the youths learn about policy-building in the mainstream instead of in a council just for them)," she said. — LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV