AS years passed by, the image of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), an avenue for Filipino youth to be part of local politics, has been tarnished by irresponsible elected youth officials whose programs only revolve around basketball and volleyball tournaments and neverending pageants. There may be feeding programs here and there, but it has never acted on fulfilling its true purpose of creating programs that will empower the Filipino youth. According to a study conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and UNICEF, it revealed that the performance of SK has been “generally weak” especially in terms of formulating legislation and meeting with its constituents.

The lapses of SK representatives have frustrated many Filipinos since taxpayers’ money is spent on paying them and their predictable projects. With so much budget spent on initiatives that fail to tend to the needs of their constituents, SK councils have been a breeding ground for young corrupt politicians that eventually run as city councilors and transcend to be trapos in their own right. Although R.A. 11768 was signed into law by former President Duterte, which aims to strengthen the SK by making reforms, its effects are still yet to be seen. Currently, the Filipino youth clamor for better SK representatives which led them to campaign in abolishing the SK Council - seeing it only as a waste of government funds and resources. 

However, removing SK Councils from our political system will also be a waste of opportunities for future leaders to grow. SK has its flaws but with civic-youth leaders who are determined to create solutions for their community, it can make massive waves to our local government. With proper guidance and training, SK representatives can launch community pantries, drug education campaigns, literacy programs, and initiate projects that local government units and the national government have a hard time executing. What may seem to be micro-actions of SK councils can lead to macro-effects that may shape our national government. 

As a new set of representatives are to be elected on the last Monday of October, their willingness to serve the community must be evident as they rally and campaign their platforms for the next three years. SK representatives must have the ability to identify the problems of its community in order to initiate projects and programs that will resolve them. After all, they have the power to change our government from the grassroots up.