The fresh set of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) of Lipa City shared personal insights on current issues faced within their barangays along with platforms to address such concerns in an interview right during their oath-taking ceremony at the Lipa Academy of Sports Culture and Arts (LASCA), Nov. 5.
SK Chairpersons emphasized sports, educational assistance, and policy-making in their platforms, advocating for the youth’s overall well-being and inclusion in their communities.
“It is also important that we not only focus on the projects but as well as the policy-making in Barangay, […] very keen ako on policy-making ngayon dahil minsan kasi nakakalimutan na SKs are also part of the legislative body,” shared Hon. Angela Bautista, Brgy. Pangao’s SK Chairperson.
The delegates also took into account a few challenges that they might encounter as leaders such as limited machinery, lack of experience, being accustomed to working alone, and social media tirades.
SK Chairperson Hon. Angela Bautista of Brgy. Pangao highlights the role of SKs in local policy-making. (E. Lingao)
According to SK Chairperson Hon. Mhay Kathleen Olan, due to netizens’ unfamiliarity of the certain programs that the municipality can finance, social media posts like “SK paganito ka naman,” suggesting specific initiatives became rampant.
One platform that she mentioned is enhancing the coverage of the scholarship assistance program by increasing the beneficiary schools.
“Pagpapalawig ng ating scholarship assistance, […] ang Marawoy ang first na barangay na nagkaroon ng college scholarship at ine-aim namin na mapalawak pa ito,” Olan added.
Brgy. Pangao’s SK Chairperson Hon. Angela Bautista also made a remark in relation with how they would handle public endeavors even with a confined allocation.
“Hindi ganun kalaki ang budget ng barangay so it is up to us […] to make it sufficient that we supplement each and every project and policy that we want to make, at mai-deliver siya nang ayos kahit with a limited budget and timeframe,” shared Hon. Angela Bautista, Brgy. Pangao’s SK Chairperson.
Present during the event, Africa referred to upcoming programs that the local city government will implement to address the concerns of designated barangay youth leaders regarding cleanliness, health, and safety, such as incorporating new hospitals, health cards, and additional health centers per district.
(Related article: http://lavoxa.org/2023/09/03/africa-outlines-plans-to-decongest-traffic-improve-healthcare-in-lipa-city/)
“Maglalagay din po tayo ng mga bagong programa. Uunahin ko na at siguradong kayo na ang beneficiary ng ating Lipa Family Health Card na magagamit ng mga taga lipa sa mga pribadong ospital […] meron tayong apat na ospital na bubuksan na babantayan natin po sa susunod na taon,” Africa said.
Lipa City Mayor Eric Africa outlines upcoming local initiatives that will address the healthcare needs of the people of Lipa. (S. Carandang)
Along with the upcoming initiatives, the current municipal officers also provided an overview of the roles and obligations expected from the incoming officials during the oath-taking ceremony.
In anticipation of assuming office, seminars and training sessions for the SK officials prior to taking office were also discussed.
A total of 1,152 delegates pledged the oaths of their respective positions.
Article by Allen Benedict Orense and Zxyrish Nicole Balita
