by Ernesto T. Solidum
Kapihan guests are (l to r) Hon. Christina I. Daguno (Malay), Hon. Michael Angelo R. Melgarijo (Kalibo), Host -SP Sec. Odon Bandiola, SK Regional Coordinator Mr. Gervin Acedre and Hon. Teri Del Rosario (Batan). Photo by MSL).
On December 10–17, 2011 the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Aklan will celebrate for the first time the National Youth Day or "Linggo Ng Kabataan". The theme is "Aklanon Youth Going Forward, Promoting Rights for a Better Tomorrow". Guests to the Kapihan forum on November 19, 2011 at Smokehauz Resto & Bar are key officers of the Federation who are Mr. Jervin Alegre, Regional Program Coordinator and Info Officer, Municipal Federation Presidents – Ms. Cristina R. Daguno, Malay, Teri S. Del Rosario, Batan, and Mr. Michael Angelo Melgarejo, Kalibo.
Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino mentioned that the youth celebration is an offshoot of the CBCP’s project to nurture Christian values and become role models in society. Rizal’s "La Juventud Filipina" is a tribute to youths’ struggle for change and the need for their voices to be heard.
For his part, Atty. Allen S. Quimpo says that youth has a favorable spot in his heart because there is hope. Approximately 60 percent of our population belongs to 15-25 age brackets and this is a tremendous resource. He cautions however that for any project to be considered by the young due consultation must be made with the elders since they have the wisdom of experience and know-how.
Mr. Alegre said that the celebration aims to reach out to youth from all walks of life to answer the call for unity and solidarity in leadership. RA 7160 or Local Government Code, Book III, Chapter 10 specifically provides guidelines for youth leaders to become Boys and Girls officials as Governor and Mayors for a week after screening and interviews. These opportunities to first hand info and experience on public administration though ceremonial could have far reaching impact on young leaders.
Events and program schedule are: Day one (Dec. 10) – Torch parade and bonfire ceremony at Pastrana Park. Day two – Fun Run from Pook Airport to Magsaysay Park. Registration is P120.00. Day three – Boys and Girls Official week – Screening, interview and induction. Day eight – culmination program.
Ms. Del Rosario said that her SK Federation has undertaken positive measures on solid waste management, tree planting and beautification of historical sites. On-going is Search for Lakambini of Batan for their December 8 municipal fiesta celebration.
On the other hand, Ms. Daguno has also similar activities except exerting greater emphasis on Material Recovery Facility in Boracay.
Mr. Melgarejo likewise has undertaken tree planting in their barangay and teamed up with Kool Earth, an NGO advocating slogan on re-use, reduce, and recycle. He sponsored a resolution at the SB of Kalibo for proper placement of price tags of goods especially souvenir items in specialty stores.
Based on prepared program of week long activities, training and empowerment long sought after by youth although filled with enabling rhetoric appear hollow and inconclusive. Event organizers failed to include more of mental development that is basic to empowerment. They could organize any of these seminar workshops on leadership and human relation, communication skills, parliamentary procedure, preparation of project proposal, livelihood especially food processing and handicraft. They can have essay writing, spot painting and slogan contests based on the current theme. Youth could behave young in their ways but mature in their outlook of life.
Dr. Gabriel Delfin, Dean Institute of Policy Studies, NVC said that the SK provides a training ground for youth to become future leaders. It is necessary that they be allowed freedom to express themselves in a way that stimulates them to positive action.
Atty. Buenaflor, Regional Director, Civil Service Commission, Reg. 12 mentioned in a speech that hiring employees in the government service is like looking for the best, most competent driver for the most luxurious car in the world – Rolls Royce. The luxury car is the government machinery manned by more or less 1.3 million public servants today.
By legislative fiat, SK Federation Presidents can be appointed members of the SB or SP. While serving their non-career positions they are entitled to premium salaries and fringe benefits as elected members enjoy. Yet they are on "training" and by reason that 90 percent are actively in school, one cannot possibly justify the huge salaries and privileges our SK leaders take to themselves aside from the benefit of formal schooling.
Leadership by example means that you are in control or in touch with the group you are serving. Otherwise you cannot be an effective leader and may voice only your own ideas during Council deliberations. It could be constructive and sound alternative plan that training of young leaders be wholly done at school level. Such ideas jibe with previous House resolution to scrap the SK on efforts of Congressmen to trim and balance the national budget. We cannot afford to cuddle nebulous ideas or triple matters in crafting our laws.
Atty. Allen S. Quimpo cited pertinent survey that Aklan youth is second in the whole region to have highest teenage marriages (15-20 years old) and at the same time without gainful employment. This corroborates earlier NSCB data that 48 percent of live births in Aklan are illegitimate. Plausible explanation is that with massive poverty of 38.1 percent, families could no longer afford to foot the bill for civil or church wedding and reception. Obviously there could be more adherents to the Kasalan ng Bayan.
Linggo ng Kabataan 2011 ought to be a time for reflection and an assessment of the goals reached by the organization for the past 38 years. This is the time to draft new plans and re-set the vision to a higher plane. Let us give the change to Hon. Bob Augusto F. Legaspi, SK Federation President to prove his worth as a leader and innovator. Our best wishes for the 1st Provincial SK celebration. /MP
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