How prepared your SK candidates to run as the official SK leaders in your 'barangays'?
Every leaders must always prepared themselves before deciding to be a candidate in any government officials. It take guts to be a leader! They should always ready to face the future confidently through cooperation and unity. But first, they must be ready individually in intellect, emotion and state of mind. Especially to the youth who wanted to be the leader of the community.
'Sangguniang Kabataan' or SK is a council of youth of youth in each 'barangay' in the Philippines. The pursuit to continue the SK has been a recent issue that have been debated and analyzed by the Congress. Even in every Institution, it is also as one of the main topic for interdepartmental debates. Due to the current issue, the Congress deemed to hold the SK barangay elections which has been postponed so that the SK Law will be reformed.
In basis from the common opinion of the people, they think that SK have a lot of inadequacy to lead the community. Here's a few opinions they have observed and fact/s from the study.
Aside from the lack of concrete legislative and youth development programs, I have heard of certain issues raised against the SK like corruption, nepotism, and recurring programs focusing on sports festivals and pageantry only.
SK is breeding ground for political dynasty and exposing the youth to corruption and the practice of traditional politicians.
A 2007 study by UNICEF and the Department of Interior and Local Government said, “The SK’s performance for the past ten years has been generally weak. This is especially true in terms of coming up with legislations, promoting the development of young people, submitting reports and holding consultations with their constituents."
Through the process of scrutinization and evaluation, it has been resolved from the House of Committee of Congress - that the SK will undergo a Reform Bill. On January 15, 2016, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law (Republic Act No. 10742) was signed into law which made some significant changes to the SK. Wikipedia
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The concept refers to every individual candidates
1] Knows the Preamble
Through all our school year, the 1987 Philippine Constitution - Preamble has been discussed or have been forcefully recited by our grade school teachers. In College, this has also been cited in a Political Science curriculum. It's just a few sentences, headlining the vision of the Philippine Constitution, how it built and established. The Preamble is necessarily must be memorized from the heart, as the Preamble considered as the head of the the law. As it will consider all the conditions of a democratic Constitution. So the SK Candidates must know it!
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2] Knows how to handle expenses
Though it is not mandatory, but every candidates must know handle expenses and cash flow in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. In basis to the SK Reform Law (which basically from 1991 Local Government Code - known as Local Autonomy Law or Republic Act 7160), the Comelec and DILG issued regulations on how the barangays are to use the 10% of Internal Revenue Allotment set aside for SK activities and mandating the creation in each barangay a "Task Force on Youth Development." SK Officials are provided with funds, so each candidates must know how to process the finances from allocation to liquidation.
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3] Knowledgeable of the Local Government Code
Sangguniang Kabataan is mainly manifested from the Local Government Unit. Like in every aspect of the government units, it is in basis from the foundation of the Law. The Law that managed and organized the fundamental flow of every government units. The Local Government Code is also composed of the regulations, responsibilities and other fundamental procedures of the Sanggniang Kabataan. It is necessary that every candidates must be knowledgeable of the Code, as it will be the primary idea what the responsibilities they are liable to.
You can easily browsed the Local Government Code of the Philippines in the Internet. Link
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4] Can write resolutions
That's what the SK is built for, to contribute to the community through the intellectual resolutions of the common problems that they could find at their barangays. They will be the voice towards the progress and development of the youth community. Considering that the youth portray the essential position of the community. Even most of the problems occurred in the community related to the youth. Common issues from robbery, murder, drug addiction, AIDS and other phenomenal concerns. So every candidates must be prepared their platform that will consider to help the youth community be educated and be prepared. Which through conceptualizing different programs must be prepared before considering to be a candidate. It may not necessary, but it is the most effective.
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5] Must have experienced leadership backgrounds like in schools etc.
Running for SK Officials is a leap from any leadership organization especially in school/institution. Having the experiences of leadership in the institution makes a great advantage among other competitors. Even in the scenarios of applying higher positions in the company, as they will qualify applicants who have backgrounds and experiences from the certain position previously. Leadership organization in the institution trains individual to become true leaders through cooperation and unity, with intellect and supervision from advisers. The numbers of opportunities gained, learned and experienced will considered as great part of their development towards a progressive leading in the community.
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6] Knows the inherent powers of the state
SK is part of the government system which mainly organized by the Local Government Unit. Being in the government, it is indeed necessary to learn the order of the state. The government have established this fundamental attributes which basically from the origin of the constitution. Since they are inherent, laws are not needed in order for them to exist. Though this wisdom have been learned in our school/institution, considering the significance of the topic in social studies. The candidates must know even the primarily concept of the three inherent power of the state, because running in the SK could also be an opportunity to run in higher position in the government in the future.
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7] Can explain the different branches of the government and its functions
Though not quite necessary to learn the whole concept, candidates must be prepared and must learn the primary functions of the branches of the government. Like aforesaid, stepping into Sangguniang Kabataan organization could possibly be a stepping stone towards running in higher position in the community or in the city. It will be the training ground for the potential leaders in the future that will contribute and help the organization, community, provincial and even greater.
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8] Know the fundamentals of the SK Reform Law (Republic Act 10742)
Through the controversies of the Sangguniang Kabataan performances and the foundation of the law, the SK election have been put on hold, prior to the 2013 barangay elections. In January 2016, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Law was signed into law which made some significant changes to the SK and schedules new elections for October 2016. Then the RA 10742 was signed into law which made some significant changes to the SK. It changed the age of the council and it forbids individuals from seeking a youth council appointment who are closer than the second degree of consanguinity from any elected or appointed official in the same area. It is the first Philippine law with an anti-political dynasty restriction for elected positions. The reform also created a Local Youth Development Council to support the SK programs composed of representatives from different youth organizations in the community including student councils, church and youth faith groups, youth-serving organizations, and community-based youth groups.
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9] Knows the basics of the Philippine Constitution
Studying the Philippine Constitution doesn't mean candidates wanted to pursue law, but being knowledgeable is indeed an advantage among other competitors. Knowing the basics of the Constitution could be the references on how the should the organization be established. Knowing the history of the Philippines Constitution which have been amended through the ages. The Constitution is the basis of all law - the framework of how our country should be run. Candidates should have at least basic knowledge so they'll know the basic rights of being a citizen. The constitution should at least embody the necessary stuff that would dictate how they should move as a an organization, a community and as a nation.
FYI: You can conveniently read the Philippine Constitution in your mobile through the provided application Download it HERE
Know it also from Wikipedia
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10] Must be spontaneous in speaking straight English in public
Be knowledgeable! Be confident! Be the person who want them in the future when you are in the position.
I have a very legit source of the guidelines in public speaking from Forbes
Every candidate must consider this skill, or maybe not, but through preparation, optimism, proper practice and even experiences could make their public speeches successful. Great preparation must be done in order to be confident in this situation. Always know your public listeners in order to catch their attentions and their respects. Because strong and rightful words are powerful, yet let them know how you should do the certain resolutions in a summarized concept. So that they will realize how you are prepared enough that will fit to lead the community. Sometimes they will consider your speeches as cliches which commonly been uttered by the previous officials, albeit every plans, nothing were visualized. Even least of services are provided and functioned. So make them a rightful assurance that you are the right candidate that will lead them.
The most challenging part of running for a position in SK
is not about winning the election, it's about
fulfilling your responsibility.
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Thank you so much for reading! You've made it to the end. I hope you could learn a lot and start to make a real difference which is from you. Then be the model, be the voice to the youth community. God bless to those candidates. Always remember, as long you have the Great backer, you could face this boldly and courageous. Trust to God always!
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