SENATOR KIKO PANGILINAN ON SK ISSUE: YES TO REFORM,
NO TO ABOLITION

Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan today says that the Sangguniang Kabataan should remain as a means for the youth to have representation in government, with necessary amendments to the LGU Code.

"I was a youth and student leader during my high school and college days. I learned invaluable lessons that helped me become the national leader I am today. We need to provide the youth opportunities at representation. Student and youth representation was the fruit of the youth and students' struggle to uphold and promote youth rights, and to abolish youth representation in local governments is a step backwards for the cause of youth welfare and development."

Pangilinan filed a bill in the 14th Congress creating local youth development councils in every city and municipality in the country in order to strengthen youth development programs. He adds that the youth are integral to nation-building; as such the SK should remain in existence, with appropriate amendments to the LGU Code.

"We support to reduce youth representatives to one per barangay. This way, it will be easier to monitor and provide the needed support. It will also be easier to spot corruption and other anomalies, and rectify them."