Day 095: It Tells Us Something...

As of now, lamentations will suffice what’s been said and done on the bicameral Sangguniang Kabataan Polls discussion resolution. However, let’s have a run-down and try sifting positivity.

Terms.

Hold-over, postponement, and reformation are the three words the participative circle of Sangguniang Kabataan has been hearing these past few weeks.

It is important to contextualize the terms posed above before we move along: a ‘hold-over’ will practically mean that the current Sangguniang Kabataan officials will still be serving until reformation is carried out, of course, with the years to be defined by our legislators; ‘postponement’ is the arrangement of the Sangguniang Kabataan Elections much later than scheduled; and ‘reform’ is the realignment and specification of new or enhanced set of Sanggguniang Kabataan governance guidelines, along with its composition, qualifications, powers, functions, and duties, among others.

Versions.

The lower house approved a 3-year postponement without bestowing power to the incumbent Sangguniang Kabataan to hold power. Thus, a ‘vacuum’ of youth participation is imminent. The Senate’s version is postponing the polls to 2014, while the present officials are allowed for a ‘hold-over’. After reviews and discussion, the bicameral panel produced what can be most congruent to the anticipated Sangguniang Kabataan reform.

“Whether Congress approves the SK Reform bill or not, elections will still be held anytime between 28 October 2014 and 23 February 2015 thereby giving Congress a natural deadline for the passage of a law that would massively address the iniquities and structural limitations of the SK as an institution. Failure to approve an SK Reform Law would have put this postponement to naught.” (NYC; Full article available here.)

Arguments.

The decision made last Tuesday 24 September that there will be no hold over AND the positions will be vacant until reformation ensues raised brows with regards to major provisions of law. These will be just citations with minute annotations. These can be personal points of interpretation and guidance is highly solicited.

Article II, Sec. 13 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states,

“The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”

The ‘vacuum’ stripped away the constitutional rights of the Filipino youth, since their involvement in public and civic affairs made through the Sangguniang Kabataan. It is unacceptable to think otherwise because the Sangguniang Kabataan is the youth arm of the government in the barangay that provides constitutionally specified growth and enhancement opportunities. NGOs and POs may have had their share in the grassroots but since we are emanating this discussion from the constitution, the direct response would be “It’s the Sangguniang Kabataan!”

As member of the Sangguniang Kabataan, arguments of inefficacy, corruption, or irrelevance, which many proves to be true, cannot be discredited. That said, there is still a violation of our constitutional rights. We uphold reform but we cannot uphold non-representation of the youth sector in the barangay.

Lastly, this point will come from the bible of local governance and creation, the Local Government Code of 1991, otherwise known as RA 7160.

“Sec. 423. Creation and Election. - (a) There shall be in every barangay a sangguniang kabataan to be composed of a chairman, seven (7) members, a secretary, and a treasurer.”

The word shall in this statement direct a future action and its completion is not a request but a strong assertion and intention of doing what it demands. Since there will be no holdover, and not even an election, we violated the founding principles of local governance.

The argument here is the unlawful decision of keeping the positions vacant. And it should not have happened. Now, what else can be transgressed? The constitution was held no use, RA 7160 bland. What can possibly stop these legislators totally removing youth participation and representation in the government?

Even these are brought out it will not change their decision but perhaps ignite something for us young Filipinos.

This the way we are shaken, reminded, with the voices calling us to stop addiction, end sloth and unproductivity, and wake up from slumber! There is no intention of breeding activists but a generation that will rise up proving the purpose of our kind, the purpose of nation building and progress.

What now?

The 10 per cent SK fund will not longer be at the disposal of the SK, youth representative in the barangay, but on the hands of the Sangguniang Barangay. So the committee on Youth & Sports Affairs, dutifully stated by law to be given to the SK Chairperson, will be assigned to an SB member and it’s up for him or her to appropriate. Gladly, the divisions, e.g., 10 per cent Livelihood, 10 per cent Capability Building, will be maintained. What we can’t be sure is the details of the said appropriations.

To promote accountability to where it’s needed the most, it can be suggested that a resolution be passed that in the years,until the Sangguniang Kabataan polls and reform is completed, the committee chairman must allow youth from the barangay form part his ‘external’ committee membership. Through this, the youth will still be an active participant of what concerns them.

The subsidiary members will also have their qualifications as well, which are to be set and evaluated by the Sangguniang Barangay Council members. After completing the phase, the SB members will make the final approval of memberships.

There might be no financial assistance for the members of the aforementioned committee, unless they are employed as part of the government employees in the barangay with supplementary functions. This will at least ease the threatening situation of total exclusion of youth participation from local governance. There might be a better suggestion than this and it is greatly invited.

Any more words?

The sunset is closing our term of office. We still have some important activities coming.

Day 108: 2013 SK Election Postponed

In every proposition is an opposition. Many would like a postponement of the Barangay Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election and the same expanse of people affirms the contrast.

Key players and the SK.

Inefficacy. Irrelevance. Corruption.

The gist of postponing the SK Elections. However, what remains the burden of the pro-reform groups and the legislators are: First, the assurance that a year will satisfy all consultations, synthesis and legal promulgations needed for an effective, relevant and productive Sangguniang Kabataan (Perhaps this would not be the name after reformation, but let’s use it for the meantime); And second, how would the higher government reconcile the policy to the newly registered SK voters.

COMELEC and the SK Elections.

Before the postponement is the aggressive stance of the Commission on Election (COMELEC) of SK's abolition, which is funny. It’s not for the COMELEC to say!

It should be crystal to the populace that the commission is tasked “to make sure we have fair, honest, clean and orderly elections. It is beyond their jurisdiction nor competency to say whether an institution should be abolished or reform.)”, Undersecretary Leon Flores III, Chairman of the National Youth Commission. Read full article here.

Besides, Republic Act No. 9340, otherwise known as “AN ACT AMENDING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9164, RESETTING THE BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”, states that a synchronized Barangay and the SK Elections is to be held every three years in last Monday of October. Let's keep it that way, until further notices.

The SK Election Postponed!

Granted the SK Election is postponed, there are ways the newly registered SK, specifically the prospective SK Officials, can take part on the SK Governance.

Every five years, the barangay conducts Barangay Development Investment Plan (BDIP) where the present SK Chairpersons can invite the intending SK Officials to incorporate their plans and aspirations for the barangay. We also have the Barangay Annual Investment Plan (BAIP), where a more specific one-year goal setting is discussed and laid-out.

The involvement of the potential SK Chairpersons/ Officials will be very healthy for the barangay as we spend that waiting period for the next youth council election.

BUT it should be noted that whether or not there is postponement in the SK Elections, the youth in the barangay must be involved in the planning, in one way or another. Some input collection venues would be during the General Assembly, purok meetings, or a special meeting called by the present SK Officials, to name just a few.

Any more words?

Well, I must bring out that I’m against the generalization of having Sangguniang Kabataan as breeding ground for corruption, and not the fact that some barangay verifies the comment. These are two different things.

Also, there's no need to be bombastic on concepts that one is not comfortable with, such as the postponement, that's why in the latter section instead of being reactive tried to be proactive in rendering ideas of what can be done given the SK Election is postponed.

We, in behalf of the council, will be glad to have a new set of SK Officials this year. However, with the brewing postponement we can just hope that decisions will turn out right, for the better. What the present Sangguniang Kabataan officials best do as of the moment is to spend this year as their last, with maintained “best”, until valid pronouncements from the houses are delivered.

We would like to hear from you! Comment below.

Day 173: Parliamentary Procedure 101 pt. 1

Our Parliamentary Procedure Lecture, part of the SK Governance program, was held today, 12^th of July 2013, at (can you believe it?) Sangguniang Panglungsod Session Hall! Yes!

Before the lecture/workshop, we we’re invited by our speaker to secure permission from the Vice Mayor’s for the use of the facility. The request was granted. On the day, the staffs have been very accommodating and the hall was so fitting for the said lecture. The facility and total ambience welcomed the participants for the lecture’s invitation of a healthy mental calisthenics.

We had an awesome time with more than 30 young people, prospective SK Officials and students, and guests.

The company was participative enough to thoroughly practice what Mrs. Rosalinda Mondido taught. They had a workshop and Kervin Cang became the mock session’s Presiding Officer, proponents of the discussed motion were Metuschella Lasdoce and Vlademir Durban, Jr.

Basic Principles in Parliamentary Procedure.

1. Every member has equal right, whether to vote or discuss.
2. Majority, i.e., Simple Majority (1/2+1), always rules; however,
3. Minority must be heard and rights be protected.
4. There should be singularity of subject having one subject at a time.
5. Debate and free discussion is allowed, must be allowed.
6. Motions are to be voted upon.
7. The Presiding Officer must be impartial, fair.
8. Courtesy to others during meeting, decorum, is observed in any proceedings.

But what is “decorum”?

In Mrs. Mondido’s words, “In parliamentary parlance, the term decorum refers to the propriety of conduct and decency of words or speech of members in a deliberative body or assembly.”

The Rules of Decorum…

…should be known by any participant of a Parliamentary Procedure. Remember to observe:

• Impersonal and formal reference to the Presiding Officer
• Impersonal and formal reference to another member.
• Pertinence of statements to issue discussed.
• Remarks, questions, or answers are coursed to the Chair.
• Speaking against own motion is not allowed.
• Time limit! As how Mrs. Mondido [link] suggested, only 2 minutes for each speaker.
• Civility of conduct is expected – on all members.
• No monopoly of discussion or debate.
• Changing of votes may be made by members.
• Seeking recognition first before speaking.
• Timing of “motion to adjourn”. It must not be done if someone is speaking or has the floor.
• That motion of reporting committee chairman or member needs no second.
• Impartiality of the Chair.
• That exercise of right has limit.

Interpellation Rules!

Ma’am Mondido kept it plain:

• Be honest in asking questions
• Avoid embarrassing questions
• Avoid fault-finding questions
• Avoid questions that tend to cross examine or interrogate.
• Avoid asking more than two successive questions at a time.
• Graciously acknowledge the answer.
• Never argue with the respondent.

Any more words?

Glory be to God in all of these feats! There are other things that we have learned. I may post it soon. I’ll link the two posts for review.

Tomorrow will be last session for this program, SK Budgeting. This ought to be fun!

Also, have time to click this link for the schedule and program of the Kal’ton Festival.

Happy 3^rd Kal’ton Festival Fatima!

Day 182: iLead 3

Last month marks the last Intentional Leadership (iLead) traning, for this term. It was conducted June 12 through 14 at Villa RealResort, Nagpan, Sarangani Province.

S-P-E-L-L!

The iLead raised to the power of 3 focused on three things: (1) Financial Management for the POs and other organizations, (2) Boy-Girl Relationships, and (3) team building. Moreover, we achieved our three purposes.

Participants from different puroks joined the program. On one hand, some purok leaders who are students were not able to join since it was school days. On the other hand, many took the commitment to really take absence and gain skills and knowledge for their puroks.

UPDATES ABOUT KAL'TON FESTIVAL BELOW!!!

However, weak participation was experienced during the conduct of the said program even the efforts made to reach out and confirm their participation. In this blog post will be some photo mementos.

"We can have greater profit with Y!"

Thinking is a must!

A good dose in the morning.

Good 15-minute output! :)

"The picture showed..." Essay writing about the image in iLead 3 tarp.

Job's early days of trial.

You know him if you had been in iLead 2 and 3.

Progress as a group guys!

Kagawad April Rose with Ton-ton and Ricky.

Finding Pusti-Sho Nemo.

To infinity and beyond!!!

Any more words?

We have started to disseminate information about the Kal'ton Festival activities.

Last Tuesday, we had met with the schools for Drum and Bugle Competition. Earlier than that, last Saturday, we met with the PSK representatives for widespread dissemination.

The soonest possible time, I'll post the program for the Kal'ton Festival in this site.

Almost there...