Former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Bong Go, together with National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman Ronald Cardema, called on government agencies concerned with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) funds to fast-track the release of its guidelines.
Go said the release of the fund’s guidelines would enable the 400,000 SK leaders to finally use the budget for their projects and activities in 42,000 barangays to protect and push for the welfare of the youth.
The former presidential aide said the Duterte administration returned the SK last year to empower the millions of Filipino youth to elect their leaders and to be the direct partners of the government in fighting illegal drugs, as well as in reporting crimes, terrorism, and corruption in their respective barangays.
“As our partners for change, let us equip them with the proper resources to fulfill their mandate. Binigyan natin sila ng responsibilidad sa bayan. Kaya dapat rin natin sila mabigyan ng kapasidad na gampanan ito (We have given them responsibility so we have to capacitate them to do this),” the former palace official stressed.
“We have given the Sangguniang Kabataan responsibility so we have to capacitate them to do this.”
He said SK leaders cannot properly function if they cannot tap the 10 percent of the barangay funds solely allocated for the SK.
Go added the SK should also push for projects that can mobilize the youth in helping government respond to disasters in their towns and provinces, and in spreading nationalism in schools and communities.
He has supported calls for the immediate release of the SK fund guidelines as he considers barangay officials, such as those who are part of the SK to be front liners in the Duterte administration’s war against drugs, crime, and corruption.
SK leaders, Go said, play a crucial role in making sure that the youth at the barangay level do not engage in the sale or use of drugs by focusing their energy on productive community projects.
“SK leaders play a crucial role in making sure that the youth at the barangay level do not engage in the sale or use of drugs.”
“Wala kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kung hindi kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino lalo na ang pagbigay ng magandang kinabukasan sa ating kabataan (The only dream of President Duterte is to look after the welfare of every Filipino, especially giving our youth a better future),” he added.
Meanwhile, Cardema said the only remaining obstacle is the release of the SK fund guidelines that are being formulated by the Department of Budget and Management, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Commission on Audit.
The NYC chair also commended Go’s initiatives to help the Filipino youth, especially in helping fund and mobilizing the 400,000 SK leaders of the country for nation-building.
“Ngayon pa lang, nagpapasalamat na ang mga SK leaders ng bansa sa aming SK (SAP Kuya) Bong Go sa pagpa-facilitate nitong malaking pangangailangan na ito ng lahat ng SK leaders para mapamunuan nang maayos ang milyun-milyong kabataang Pilipino tungo sa pagbabago ng kanilang mga barangay at ng ating bansa (This early, SK leaders in the country are thanking Bong Go for facilitating the release of the funds that they need to truly govern the millions of Filipino youths toward genuine change in their communities and the country).” Cardema said.
