August 18, 2010.        Secretary Jesse M. Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday underscored the need to introduce reform measures to the existing Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) system amid the forthcoming synchronized barangay and SK elections scheduled October 25 this year.

This came after Robredo sat down with officials of the SK Reform Coalition, who presented their proposed SK reforms.  

SK Reform Coalition convenor Marlon Cornelio, its spokesperson John Tobit Cruz, and Student Council Alliance of the Philippines national executive board member Liza Dizon initiated the meeting.

“We have agreed on the idea to reform the existing Sangguniang Kabataan by amending the Local Government Code of 1991 particularly the one creating SK, Katipunan ng mga Kabataan and its powers and duties,” Robredo said.

The SK Reform Coalition had agreed on the proposal of the DILG to elect only a youth representative to the barangay council instead of electing an SK council.

Also, the DILG agreed on the proposal the youth coalition presented to widen the upper age limit of those considered “young persons” from 17 years old to 25 years old in order to broaden representation of the youth sector.

Other proposals the coalition presented included the creation of a youth consultative body that would be composed of the different youth organizations in the barangay; and the anti-dynasty provision which would prohibit relatives of elected public officials within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity from being elected youth representative.

Cornelio said their proposals were included in House Bill 468 entitled SK Reform and Empowerment Bill, introduced by Akbayan representatives Arlene Bag-ao and Walden Bello. xxx