Postponing the barangay elections: Are there better reasons?
By Joanne de Lara
(July 23, 2010) - Book III Chapter 8 of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 embodies the direct participation of the youth in governance. It provides for the creation of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) which shall be responsible for initiating programs designed to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and physical development of the youth. However, this institution has been bombarded with much criticism for as long as it existed.
There have been calls for the abolition of the SK due to a number of reasons. One is because of its perceived inefficiency. Since the members of the SK are still studying (officers are aged 15 to 18), they are focused more on their studies and hence could not give enough time to initiate full- blown activities for the SK. Another is that the youth is seen as immature and unfit to hold government positions at such an age. In fact, some elected SK officials are not geared with enough knowledge regarding their role in the government. Still another reason is that the Sangguniang Kabataan has been seen as a breeding ground of corrupt leaders. Ten percent of the annual budget of the barangay is supposedly allotted for the projects of the SK. Yet it would take no genius to notice the non-existence of the supposed projects in many SKs.
Recently, Senate Bill No. 60 was filed to seek the postponement of the synchronized elections for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and Barangay officials this October. Likewise, House Bill 1098 was filed in the Lower House stating the same sentiment.
The postponement was sought due to the following reasons: (1) To cut on government spending because, aside from the P13.5 million expenditure for the recent May 10 election, an additional P3.5 billion would be spent further if the barangay and SK polls would push through; (2) To rechannel the funds of the government to other important sectors such as health and education; (3) For the continuity of projects launched by SK and barangay officials; (4) To ensure that the barangay elections would be automated; (5) To let the divisiveness caused by the May 10 elections subside.
Analyzing the facts at hand, it seems that postponing the SK and barangay elections would do some good to the country. Nonetheless, we should not gloss over the fact that these things might only be good at first glance.
It is important to note that the Comelec already announced that the barangay elections would NOT be automated and thus the expenditure might be less than what was first projected. The “rechanneling funds” argument, on the other side, is way too old to still be believed in. We also hold no certainty that the divisiveness brought by the May 2010 elections will subside in one or two years’ time. Come to think of it, is it not the case that our political leanings and beliefs are divided even before the elections? What is left to subside then?
But I would like to focus on one the “continuity of projects” argument. What “continuity of projects” are they talking about when there are no projects to begin with? We are not generalizing here, but we are all aware that there are “invisible SK officials”. And considering the arguments given by those calling for the abolition of the SK, extending the officials’ terms would not be the solution. The problem is way beyond the limitations set by the term limits of SK officials. One must dig deeper.
Amidst all, if asked if the youth is the hope of this nation, I’d still stand on the affirmative. The youth, I believe, is capable of leading this country. They are like a ball full of potential energy waiting to be released. The only problem is that some are not geared with the right weapons. SK officials should undergo intensive seminars and trainings before and after being elected and sworn into office. That way, they can manage their priorities well, they can lay down efficient programs, they can maximize the budget allocated for them, and hopefully their eyes would be opened that the SK as an institution is not a money making machine.
Why then are they calling for the postponement of the polls? The continuity of projects, not just of the SK but also of the barangay, might not be the reason at all. Divisiveness? I don’t think so. The main reason is the money involved. Where that money is going is the one that keeps the ball going.