Ex-NYC commissioner opposes calls to abolish SK

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Pavia, Iloilo Sangguniang Bayan Member Jo Jan Paul “JP” Peñol, a former commissioner of the National Youth Commission (NYC) during the Aquino administration, has strongly opposed proposals to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).

“Young people must be given a voice in our government, especially in policy-making bodies,” Peñol said in an interview.

He said solutions to many of society’s problems may lie in the minds of the youth, whom he described as innovative and idealistic.

Drawing from his experience as a former SK official and contributor to the SK Reform Law, Peñol emphasized the value of the youth council.

“I understand well how great the SK can be—if and only if it is led by good elected officials,” he said.

“If there is any entity that should believe in the power of young people, it is our government.”

He also criticized proposals to appoint SK officers instead of electing them, warning that this could lead to political patronage.

“If SK officers are appointed instead of elected, it will only become politically motivated and serve as political accommodation,” Peñol said.

“It is entirely different when we give our people the power—regardless of their economic status or education—to choose their own leaders.”

Peñol’s comments came in response to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s suggestion to abolish the SK due to low attendance and participation among youth officials.

Remulla said only about 60 percent of SK officials attend council meetings a year after their election, with attendance dropping to as low as 30 percent in the following years.

He attributed the decline to the age range of 15 to 25 years old, during which many youth balance work, studies, and family responsibilities.

Remulla also cited the absence of a mechanism for the immediate replacement of non-performing SK members, which allows barangay captains to exert undue influence over councils.

He proposed appointing SK chairs directly and enabling swift replacement of inactive members as possible solutions but noted that abolishing the SK may be more practical given current trends.

Peñol maintained that the future of the SK rests on public choice.

“Ultimately, it depends on the people,” he said.

“The power to choose belongs to them, that’s why we urge our voting public to elect good candidates so that our SK will not be wasted.”