URGES CHANGE IN SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN CHARTER
CHIZ: YOUTH VOTE DECISIVE IN 2010 POLLS

Opposition Sen. Chiz Escudero yesterday said he was against the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), stressing it is more relevant now, with the youth making up a significant portion of the Philippine population.

"We have the influence and the numbers to play a decisive role in the 2010 elections," the 39-year-old senator said at a student forum held at De La Salle Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Statistics show that the youth could comprise almost 50 percent of next year's estimated 40-42 million voters, with first-time registrants estimated between 2-5 million.

"I am in favor of instituting reforms in the SK charter so that it can receive more funds and undertake projects for the youth even during the school year," Escudero said.

"To make it more functional, we should also consider its geographical location to determine what particular project can be conceptualized for maximum benefit."

Composed of youth representatives from the 42,000 barangays in the country, the SK seeks to prioritize development programs for the youth and encourage their active participation not only in community development but also in nation-building.

Escudero said government should not discourage the youth from contributing fresh ideas to making society better, since they will be the ones who will inherit it.

"What Jose Rizal said still rings true up to today--the youth is the hope of the fatherland. But we know that since then the youth has shown it can be relied on to change this nation for the better," he said.