October 15, 2023
by Carla Karizza Delos Reyes
Being a country that boasts a dynamic and vibrant population of youth, it is only right that the Philippines encourages youth participation in governance for national development. The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) is a youth-led governing body, that embodies the immersion of the youth in nation-building at the grassroots level. SK Officials, aged 18-24, are elected by their peers who are registered voters aged 15-30. These voters have the power to choose the right leaders who will act as liaisons between the youth and the government and bridge the gap in their communities, ensuring that different perspectives are shared.
After five long years of waiting, the country saw the emergence of a new set of youth leaders who come from varied backgrounds—-students, activists, and young professionals, each bringing diverse aspirations to fuel their goals and platforms.
As an institution that fosters leadership among its students, it is no doubt that AISAT has produced competitive youth leaders who would bring innovative initiatives, fresh ideas, and a profound understanding of the challenges that their peers encounter. Included in the list of esteemed student-leader victors are SK Kagawad Sanny Bataque Jr., BSAMT student, and SK Chairpersons Albert Badolato, BSAMT student, Nelson Jules Cabales and Jan Zhane Galvez, BSAvM students.
When asked about their shared experiences during the campaign period, they have expressed how challenging it was to be on top of their game as students while also conducting campaign rallies in different Puroks and Sitios in their respective Barangays.
“It was really difficult to balance (everything), when you have classes… when you have OJTs to manage, and you’ll have to sacrifice one of them.” Hon. Cabales said. “During that time, I was really confused, but I did overcome it, and it was both an experience and an amazing ride,” he added. He also expressed how leveraging social media in their online campaigns made connecting with the youth easier and streamlined.
Beyond textbooks and schoolwork, attending sessions, submitting reports, addressing social issues are expected from these students immediately after being elected, as part of their responsibilities as public servants. However, on top of being community youth leaders, they are also students.
“Most of us, SK Officials, are still students. We really make adjustments in our schedules to make time for our studies because education is our top priority. Luckily, my class schedule allows me to serve my Barangay.” Hon. Bataque stated when asked about how he juggles his responsibilities as both a student and a community leader. “On Mondays and Tuesdays, I do my duties in the Barangay because my classes are on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and Saturdays and Sundays are dedicated for schoolwork. As of the moment, being a student while serving the community is still going smoothly,” he added.
SK Officials who take on leadership roles in their community not only connect their community to the government but also lead by example, embodying the power of embracing responsibility and choosing good action. In an interview with Hon. Badolato, he stated that his goal on being SK Chairperson is to lead the youth in becoming better versions of themselves by emphasizing the importance of education and providing the youth with financial assistance and a trustworthy printing shop that students could utilize for educational purposes.
”We aim to help the community achieve zero out-of-school-youth (OOSY). Everyone in the community will be encouraged to study and participate in DEPED’s Oplan BaliK Eskwela (OBE) Program,” he added. His influence as an SK Official and a student would be a great driving force for the fulfillment of their aspirations to the community.
Truly, the youth is the hope of the nation. While it is true that change has been propelled by the hands of the experienced, it is certain that there is a simmering potential for revolution that the youth possess, unburdened by the weight of past setbacks, fueled by inherent idealism.
As the youth continue to partake in building the nation’s future, may they become the change that the Philippines has long been seeking. Let us all hope that the current situation of the country’s government is a wake- up call for Filipinos highlighting the importance of having trustworthy leaders who will help millions of people and not just take millions from people. Our time is now.