I always tell myself that I need not to devote my time in every SK activities because there are lot of things I need to prioritize. But then again, it always dawns on me that three years ago, I have accepted the responsibility, which made me a better citizen of this country.

I always anticipated the fact that my term will end but I never expected that my term will be the last of the SK terms, at least for now.

And really, news about the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan were not new. I heard it a hundred times already but I never thought of this extremeties to happen.

You see, the 10% share of every SK Council from the internal revenue allotment of the barangay is not for us SK Chairmen to hold. Resolutions are made so that we could start allocating the share in SK projects and activities. 80% of which is preconstituted, meaning, most of the budget were allocated to some barangay projects before we could even decide what activities are to be implemented.

After the budget allocation, when we need to encash any amount from the budget, we still have to prepare documents to be signed by our Punong Barangay, then to sangguniang barangay members who are heads of whatever committee, then to the barangay treasurer, to municipal federation president and so on until amendments are made. Take note that we can never encash any amount without the signature of permission from the Commission on Audit.

But wait, there’s more, we also need to ask for the assistance of our barangay’s bookkeeper before we could go with other steps of processing papers.

People, we are exerting extra effort for just a single project to be implemented. We must endure being starved and tired and sleepy and weak in order for it to be approved. And even after approval, we do not get the money as cash but in cheque which, for all the reasons in the world, the barangay treasurer and punong barangay will hold until further instructed.

Tell me, HOW CAN WE REALLY GET SOMETHING WHEN AT THE END OF THE DAY, AFTER EXERTING ALL THE EFFORTS, WE ARE STILL NOT THE ONES HOLDING THE ALLOTTED BUDGET?

EXCUSE ME, Honorable Congressmen, please be more considerate. How can we be the hope of our nation when you are depriving us the privileges of proving such?

And yea, good luck. We hope that you still have our trust.

One thing more, please make SK Activities as fun , or even more exciting, as we did.