Former Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation president and now City Councilor Halila Y. Sudagar expressed her sentiments against the proposed abolition of the SK. (davaotoday.com file photo)
DAVAO CITY—Former Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) federation president and now City Councilor Halila Y. Sudagar expressed her sentiments in the proposed abolition of SK as part of the rationalization of government functions.
“I humbly beg to disagree because I was once an SK federation president, I was able to discharge my function well as SK federation president and as a student. It will be more prudent to have a representative of this sector in the local arena because they have the real plights of the youth sector,” she said.
Sudagar said that the proposed abolition will only deprive the youth sector with their rights and not what House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez claimed that the proposed abolition of SK and Barangay elections was due to the ineffectiveness of the SK officials.
“Hindi po kami magkakaroon ng avenue para makaparticipate sa local governing body (We will not have the avenue to participate in the local government body),” she said.
Alvarez said the youth officials are paid for doing nothing. He also said the SK officials do not have time to attend to their studies.
Oks postponement
Sudagar said however, that she has no problem postponing the SK election because this will give more time for President Rodrigo Duterte to fill in positions in his administration.
Sudagar cited the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) which states that “an appointing authority is prohibited from promoting and appointing new employees, creating new positions and giving of increase salaries at least 45 days before the election.”
“If elections will push through, of course, the reforms introduced by the current administration will be hampered,” she said.
Sudagar also agreed with the President that the postponement would prevent drug money from influencing the electoral process.
During the 10th year anniversary celebration of the Eastern Mindanao Command here, Duterte said he agreed to some congressmen to postpone the barangay elections because he is afraid that “drug money will seep into the electoral process.”
Meanwhile, Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago also said instead of limiting political space of the youth, the administration should focus on the needs of the youth sector.
“There is no clear policy on education, contractualization and that should be given attention. We already spearheaded a dialogue with the House leadership to answer these concerns,” Elago said. (davaotoday.com)
