SK office pushed in every barangay

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Councilor Jessica Resch has proposed an ordinance mandating all barangays in the city to allocate an office space for Sangguniang Kabataan officials.

In the proposed measure, the office space shall also be used as barangay youth centers.

Resch, who the SK Federation president, referred the proposed measure to the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, and Styling for review.

“It is the policy of this City to ensure that the welfare of the youth is protected, represented and heard by the government. Further, the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building,” reads the proposed ordinance.

“This ordinance aims to provide the youth a venue to address their needs and an office to go to when they seek for assistance. To this end, the State shall establish adequate, effective, responsive and enabling mechanism and support system to address the needs of the youth which is the establishment of a Sangguniang Kabataan office which shall also be used as barangay youth center within the barangay hall of each barangay in Cebu City,” it adds.

Section 3 states that it shall apply to all barangays in the city, regardless of the floor area of their respective barangay hall.

As may be provided in the implementing rules and regulations, the barangay captain, in coordination with the SK Federation president, shall ensure that an office space within the barangay hall shall be provided.

That such office space, which shall also be used as BYC, shall be accessible to the SK officials and their constituents at any time of the day.

Section 6 provides that the local government unit shall incorporate in its annual budget such amount as may be necessary for the renovation or construction in the barangay hall for the SK office space. — JMD (FREEMAN)