Youth Governance
SKMB’s Philosophy on Youth Governance
In accordance with RA 10742 (also known as the SK Reform Law of 2015) and as further amended by RA 11768, we can summarize the outlined responsibilities of the Sangguniang Kabataan into four (4) main points: we must Represent, Legislate, Collaborate, and Develop.
First presented during the first State of the Youth Address last March 2024, SKMB’s philosophy is underscored by the idea that such responsibilities, which define youth governance, follow a cyclical, iterative process.
Represent
Representation. As your elected representatives, it is our duty to advocate for your rights and welfare. To effectively advocate for your interests, we must collaborate.
Collaborate
Collaboration. Governance can only be deemed effective if space is deliberately made for citizens’ participation. Different sectors, groups, and areas have varying needs. Unique sectoral needs and concerns must be taken into account.
Collaboration for SKMB has been concretely exercised through ProjectKAYO, a series of consultations and KK assemblies wherein we pose the following questions:
- 1
Ano ang mga pangangailangan na kailangan matugunan sa area ninyo?
- 2
Ano ang mga proyektong kailangan ng inyong sektor?
- 3
Paano tayo puwedeng magtulungan (collaborate)?
Data derived from these consultations directly influence the projects, programs, and activities (PPAs) we develop as a council, ensuring that our interventions are data-driven and, more importantly, inclusive and consensus-oriented.
Further, consultations and collaborative efforts allow us to foster deeper public trust and key partnerships with civil society actors from all walks of life. Read more about our partners here.
Develop
Develop. From the development to the implementation of our PPAs, transparency and accountability are practiced.
Exercising research aptitude, consolidated data from initial consultations and SKMB’s enhanced KK Profiling Questionnaire form the building blocks of our proposed PPAs. We likewise deliberately involve sectoral and area-based organizations in the implementation of our programs, whether through further consultations or direct involvement.
Program examples include but are not limited to:
- 01
Lingap ng Kamalayan ng Kabataan (LingapKnK), a literacy program that allowed volunteer-teachers to take part in the planning and execution stages of the tutoring sessions;
- 02
Hakdaw Kabataan para sa Kalikasan (HKK), a comprehensive environmental protection program that centers on improved green spaces, food security, and sustained micro-economies. In HKK, focus group discussions (FGDs) with local stakeholders are being conducted to (1) identify improvement points, and (2) further encourage direct participation in the creation and maintenance of the community gardens, ensuring sustainability.
Read more about our Collaborative Development efforts here.
Such immense involvement of external stakeholders organically keeps SKMB accountable to its constituents.
Furthering accountability and transparency, since our first year in office, we have posted outside the SKMB Hub our fully-complied SK Full Public Disclosure Policy Board (DILG MC No. 2023-068).
Legislate
Legislate. Elected councilors at every level in government are responsible for writing resolutions, ordinances, and laws. SKMB believes that legislation is a powerful tool that enables us to enact and institutionalize change, allowing us to ensure that our constituents' rights and welfare are protected under the rule of law.
Although there are limitations to the forms of legislation Sangguniang Kabataan officials are allowed to perform, we were able to launch first-time programs in Matandang Balara because of SKMB’s legislative capacity. Examples include, but are not limited to, ParaSAYO—the very first barangay-based scholarship program in Matandang Balara. See others 1sts here.
A new tenant: Digitalization.
Inspired by the Public Policy Disclosure Board, it is a primary goal of our office to ensure that all 9,000 youth of Barangay Matandang Balara have easier access to their budget. Thus, we offer to you the Budget ng Kabataan: SKMB Transparency Portal. Anchored in the basic tenet that all Filipinos have the right to see where their taxes are used.
In addition to the right to transparency, all constituents of Barangay Matandang Balara deserve efficient and responsive services. Digitization is a useful tool for achieving this goal. You may now apply for your SKMB Passbook (Katipunan ng Kabataan ID) and sign up for SKMB’s programs through the same Transparency Portal.
In sum, we, as your elected representatives, are responsible for paving the way for citizens to claim their rights and demand redress. The people’s participation—your active citizenship—paves the way for effective services, for better governance (See UNESCAP’s 8-Characteristics of Good Governance.).
We are accountable to you. In SKMB’s context, it is our responsibility to cultivate platforms that enable you to exercise your right to participate in the decision-making processes undertaken in local governance.
The people’s participation paves the way for collective action.
It is a shared responsibility to cultivate and uphold youth empowerment; to remind each other of our voices, values, identities, and rights. As we always say in all our assemblies, repeat after me, “May mga karapatang pantao ka na nararapat pahalagahan. May sarili kang identidad na dapat kilalanin. May boses ka na dapat mapakinggan. May karapatan ka sa iyong kinabukasan. May halaga ka.”