POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

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Chapter 1 THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction Governance, politics and nation building: such serious terms that before were for adults only. It is because enough capacity, maturity, experience, strength and vitality are needed to perform these heavy tasks. Democracy in the Philippines contributed in paving the way for almost everyone to take part in these noble duties. Every Filipino is free to participate, support and lend a hand towards greater moral, social and economic achievement. With the freedom that we have, the youth had also been trained and entrusted to perform such duties for years, in hope and belief that they are the future builders of this country. This has been a part of our culture and politics. In fact, Philippines pioneered the youth participation in local governance which means that our country has been investing in young people for decades. Thanks to that famous line of our great national hero, “The youth is the hope of the nation.” Perhaps, that very line of Dr. Jose P. Rizal is what inspired the creation of Sangguniang Kabataan. Former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos believed in the capability of youth in leadership when he enshrined youth participation in politics. The Kabataang Barangay (KB) or “Village Youth” was a youth organization at the grassroots level created in 1975. A decade after, Sangguniang Kabataan or SK has been

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES institutionalized in relation to the implementation of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code in replacement of KB. (Abletez, 1993) The Sangguniang Kabataan or youth council is the governing body of the Katipunan ng Kabataan of every barangay.(Alunan, 1993) The Katipunan ng Kabataan, the ones who elect the officials of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK for short) through an election conducted by Commission on Elections