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 135: Technically a Punong Barangay

I was designated as the Officer-in-Charge since all the barangay officials were off to a Lakbay-Aral in Palawan and Las Piñas. I actually functioned as the Punong Barangay, Barangay Captain, of Barangay Fatima for 5 days. Actually it's just 4 since last Friday was the last day of Ramadan and it's a holiday.

It's was an incomparable experience and I never dreamed of it, though many dreamed of it for me.

Two ball pens.

I cannot even remember how many signatures I have had during that time. A 3-day of signing for Barangay permits and Gasoline purchases was like a third of all the documents I signed on the whole of SK Chairmanship. What a job! And many are out there telling that an official had done nothing! I can't imagine. And that's just the start.

Everyday people from different agencies both in the community and the City were there talking to you on things to be implemented and the requirements necessary for it's completion. Decisiveness and command before your personnel are the key that I know important during those times.

First invitation was a fora for LGBT.

Never was a day that there's no important engagements that you need to be in. One time, I attended an ABC meeting, a meeting that's only for Punong Barangays in the City. Since I was the Punong Barangay, technically, I attended the meeting. I rode on the car dedicated to transport our Kapitan, and it's NOT cool! Literally. The cryonator broke down and we travelled with open windows. 

The meeting started with the attendance not reaching majority, which made the council dispense house rules. On my mind, "You cannot blame your SK Chairpersons…" I don't know the reasons why some were not around but I want to share the candid thought. What a thrill it was rubbing elbows with several Punong Barangays.

"Opo, first time".

One memorable moment when I was the OIC was when I experienced my first buy-bust documentation. I saw for the first time packets of shabu! More crystalized than tawas, relatively as tawas with some noticeable chunks of grains, cost so hefty! Tawas only cost you a peso. I'm being comic here. I remember the Police asked, "First time nimo sir?". After all the signatories for the report came in they had us photographed and I went back home. It was 21h00.

Authority.

Days gone so fast and it's my last day. And, I don't know, before I ended my OIC functions I released Memorandum for the vehicles to be on temporary deposit. Since Friday will be holiday government vehicles should not be frolicking around since it's a day off. What a sight would it be when the Starex, motorcycles and dump trucks were out and gliding the streets on a holiday observance. Thanks to my staff; Te Daisy and Kuya Luther introduced the measure.

The fine Te Daisy.

Ya Luth. (Not real eye-color)

Gladly, the employees had surrendered their motorcycles and kept the trucks on the their place until the next working day.

I would like to thank…

All the employees, mga tao ni Kapitan, my SK Staff, our barangay officials, policemen, and everyone in the barangay for allowing me to have a smooth experience as an OIC.

Any more words?

A friend from the US was almost anxious with what I mean with my post:

He sent a private message, which will no longer be private, that reads:

Day 140: Perhaps of the Beverage?

I haven't chatted with my homestay family from Germany for so long time since recently. Max was left home alone so we can't go with our usual family chat. However, many things had happened for the past months we last Skyped. We had a good, almost 2 hour chat.

A couple of minutes...

One thing that we talked about was language learning. By the way, he can speak 4 languages: German, French, English, and Latin; and he's planning to take Spanish language course on college. Well, I technically speak four languages, too, let's see: Cebuano, Tagalog, English, and French; and currently studying Hebrew. I'm thinking of having less time with Hebrew though and focus on my fluency in French. Can I include Ilonggo, as well? Please, please, please! Hahahahah!!!

To the video!

Moving on, I shared the video to him with a fair warning, that there's no intention of offending German people or language. And that I had only found this on my blissful Youtube wanderings.

As he watched I can see him through his camera giggling and burst to laughing on the last word with a strong affirmation of "This is true!"

Now, let me share you the video we were talking about. Enjoy!

You jolted the first time the German guy spoke, didn't you?

What was the last word again? Hahaha...

Any more words?

Tell me what you think!

I will not be joining the trip to Palawan where all the barangay officials be. I never thought of being the OIC since, experience had it, Kap relinquishes his position to other individuals, until our Punong Barangay had the approved document from the DILG issued for me. Gulp.

Day 142: French for Pinoys

I would like to start August with something funny...

It's not concealed to those whom I'm with like every single day that I'm learning French. As I can assess myself, I'm like a Grade II student. But that's not the point of my post this time.

Now you can see I'm not heading to a Sangguniang Kabataan-related post but about SK, that is, Samejon Kevin. My introduction gently "warns" readers ahead about this!

I found this video on Youtube, c'est super! I mean it’s not educational and all that but it does give you a comic relief after a rigid French learning sessions.

According to her Youtube Channel, she only had 4 uploaded videos, just 3 technically because the other was re-uploaded in a different title. Interesting enough is her upload about the French language.

Why should she include such topic? Perhaps she’s learning French or fascinated with France. I don’t know, unless she would comment about it here!

However, the French speaking community should not take this video serious. It’s not a show of mockery to the language we love, but shows much fascination this gal could really have had in the language.

If you are a Filipino and learning French, you will certainly feel the punch. Brace yourself and of you go for a laugh ride!

 

Any more words?

My Thursday post would be equally jolly. Clue: I have a German friend.

Day 162: SK Governance v.5.0

Our last session for the SK Governance program is "The SK Budget". We had it in the SK Office  with Mrs. Elizabeth P. Sorilla, Budget Officer IV, as lecturer.

Mrs. Sorilla will be retiring soon and she expressed her gratefulness to have her last lecture on budget, before retirement with the young. But the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Fatima had the pleasure of having this seasoned public employee with us. However, her public service might not end here since she's posed for a position in their barangay, as an official.

She has given notable insights on how we the barangay budget came to be, and how the SK budget took its form. She further identified important aspects of the SK fund's allocation requirements and gave points to which project it may be put to good use in a barangay setting.

A focused discussion on SK Budget is available on this audio presentation via Youtube. This being said, she also discussed allocation of the barangay funds and a good amount of life experience.

Any more words?

We will be providing profiles of prospective Sangguniang Kabataan candidates, especially the Chairpersons. How these profiles are generated will be best explained on future posts.

I was thinking of sharing something funny on my next post.

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!