“More than ever, the government needs young, passionate and idealistic leaders to help change it from within.”
Senator Bam Aquino made this pronouncement in the light of moves to postpone the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections slated in the last Monday of October this year.
According to the legislator, more young Filipinos are joining the national conversation, taking to the streets to air their grievances and using social media to voice out their opinion and stand on matters of national importance.
“The SK is an opportunity to go beyond the streets, beyond social media and really work on programs to change their communities for the better,” said the lawmaker, a former chairman of the National Youth Commission (NYC).
“Many people underestimate the capability of the youth to lead but in my experience, big changes can come from the youth sector. Marami tayong youth leaders na nakakatulong sa kanilang komunidad at kailangan sila ng ating bayan,” the youthful senator stressed.
“Tama na ang walong postponements! Let’s roll out the new and improved SK and start developing better public servants for a better future,” said Aquino, pertaining to Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act.
“The new and improved SK will give the youth a chance to contribute to the development of the country and emerge as better public servants in the future,” he said, who pushed for the law’s passage as co-author and co-sponsor during his time as chairman of the Committee on Youth in the 16th Congress.
Earlier, Aquino opposed the government’s plan to postpone SK elections and appoint barangay officials instead.
“Mahalaga na mismong taumbayan ang magpasya kung sinong lider ang nais nilang iluklok. Sa ganitong paraan, makikitang gumagana pa rin ang demokrasya sa bansa,” he ended.