10/09/2025
๐ฆ๐ข๐๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ๐ง ๐ ๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ฆ ๐ง๐ข ๐๐๐ข๐๐๐ฆ๐ ๐ข๐ฅ ๐จ๐ก๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ก๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ก๐๐๐จ๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ก (๐ฆ๐)
The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of General Santos City strongly dissents from DILG Secretary Jonvic Remullaโs floating idea to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), or any statement of a similar nature, such as calls to weaken the autonomy of the Sangguniang Kabataan.
In General Santos City, the Sangguniang Kabataan councils serve their constituents through leader-honing immersion activities, competitive sports and sociocultural events, socially inclusive symposiums, and project-incubating parliaments, all of which respect and honor the youthโs vital role in nation-building as underscored in the non-self-executing Section 13, Article II of the 1987 Constitution. The mere expression of its abolition is disrespectful to the law of the land and to the wellbeing of future Filipino generations. Without systemized representation, the youthโs efforts may be deemed inutile, tampered with by higher authority should calls for its removal imply the Barangayโs control over the councils.
While absences and tardiness, general unpreparedness, and lack of โvisibleโ projects are legitimate reasons for concern, the Sangguniang Kabataan councils have endeavored against abusive political systems and undue interference that hinder the exercise of their willpower. Calls for abolition simply disregard the lived realities of young leaders in General Santos City and ignore the aspirations of thousands of Kabataang Heneral who believe in their rightful space in governance.
We have seen countless leaders whose backgrounds were honed by being Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons or councilors in their respective barangays. Seated in the legislative arm of the nation, quasi-judicial or administrative bodies, or non-government organizations, this proves that the SK has shaped movers and visionaries in and out of public service, long before Republic Act No. 10742, otherwise known as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act, had amended such issues and concerns which serve as the forefront of the complaint. Directing the fault to young leaders whose priorities are to deliver what was asked of them while navigating a ceaseless political fight inside and outside of their barangays is inutile, when systems deemed flawless, regardless of monitoring and checks-and-balances, still serve as breeding grounds for corruption. Here, calls for proper strengthening, proper implementation, and, if necessary, valid, studied, and research-based amendments of the Act are more fruitful, proper, and feasible.
Removing the SK is akin to restraining and depriving the youth of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace as promulgated in the Constitution. Instead, we challenge concerned leaders, sitting officials, government and administrative bodies, and other organizations to join hand in hand in empowering the Sangguniang Kabataan. What the SK truly needs is the guidance and tutelage of our forebears, not their neglect or dismissal.
The Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of General Santos City, together with the respective Sangguniang Kabataan Councils, stands united with youth councils across the nation in affirming our rightful place in local governance.
The youthโs place in the state is etched in the Constitution. It shall not be erased.
