BY now, you’re sure to have seen posts from some of your friends on Facebook announcing that they’re running for the BSKE, otherwise known as the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, on October 30.
If not, perhaps you’ve seen the memes on apps like TikTok about teens running for SK, laughing along even though you’re not entirely sure what being part of the SK means.
While it’s fun to share these memes with your friends or gossip about what your mutuals running for SK are going to buy when they get their first allowances, it’s important to remember just how big of a deal this election is.
So if you’re one of those people who still haven’t registered to vote or haven’t the slightest idea what the SK is actually for, SK candidates Nicole De Leon and Gerald Dela Cruz were kind enough to give republicasia the time to explain what it is and why exactly it’s so important, especially given today’s political climate.
All about BSKE
The SK has been around since 1991, formerly referred to as the Kabataang Barangay, the Pambansang Katipunang Kabataang Barangay, the Presidential Council for Youth Affairs, and now, the Sangguniang Kabataan.
According to CNN Philippines, the SK is composed of:
- one (1) Chairman
- seven (7) members
- one (1) secretary
- one (1) treasurer
This team is, essentially, in charge of making changes at the local level, in their respective barangays. They do so with programs like the Hanapbuhay Para sa Mga Kabataan and also help through engagement with the youth, information dissemination, and educational assistance during the pandemic, and many, many more.
It’s not just some meaningless election, though. It’s especially more than just a meme for you to laugh about as you pass by it on your For You page.
For De Leon and Dela Cruz, this coming election means so much more.
More than just a meme
Nineteen-year-old SK Kagawad candidate De Leon, a second year student at Benilde, believes that the Philippines holds a unique, irreplaceable place in the nation’s democratic fabric.
For De Leon, being a part of the SK means committing yourself to making a positive impact on the lives of the people in your barangay. Through this, you’re given the power to represent the youth.
“It’s leadership with a heart and being a voice for our generation, understanding our concerns and working tirelessly to address them,” she said.
“Whether it’s advocating for better educational opportunities, organizing youth programs, or fostering a safe and inclusive environment, it’s our responsibility to uplift our fellow young citizens.”
More than this, she describes the election to be a celebration of local democracy – a chance for people to come together and decide who will lead their barangay in looking after their interests.
In the words of De Leon: “It is a reminder that every voice [and] every vote matters, no matter how small the election may seem in the grand scheme of things. It is democracy at its most personal, grassroots level.”
Twenty three-year-old Dela Cruz, a Bulacan State University student running for SK chairperson, also notes that in this country, the problems found at the grassroots level are the same that you’d find at the national level.
“Nagt-trickle down yung effect niya; kung ano yung policies natin sa taas, may effect yun – yung problems natin na kinakaharap sa baba,” he explained.
Whether the discussion on crops, raising prices, or the unavailability of social services, he notes that one way or another, they all trickle down eventually.
What you need if you want to run
In 2023, the Philippine Information Agency provided the public with a list of requirements one must have to be a part of your barangay’s SK.
Here are the things listed if you’re running for Barangay Captain and Kagawad:
- must be a Philippine citizen and a registered voter in their given barangay
- must have been a resident of the given barangay for a year / more than a year preceding the day of the election
- must be at least 18 and not over 24 years old on the day of election
- must be able to read and write in Filipino or any local language or dialect
The requirements for the SK Chairperson and Kagawad are pretty much the same, except for some:
- must be a Philippine citizen and a qualified voter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan
- must have been a resident of the given barangay for a year / more than a year preceding the day of the election
- must be at least 18 and not over 24 years old on the day of election
- must be able to read and write in Filipino, English, or any local language or dialect
- must not be related within 2nd civil degree to any incumbent elected national official or regional / provincial / municipal / barangay official in the locality they’re running in
- must not have been convicted of a crime that involves moral turpitude
This coming election is crucial because it will be the first to be held in a while.
It came to the point where the Supreme Court found last year’s postponement a violation of the Philippine Constitution.
Due to the delay, many of the current SK officers didn’t even fit the age requirement anymore, according to Dela Cruz.
This is why voters must come to the polls to elect new officials.
Dela Cuz added: “It’s crucial to elect leaders in the barangay na alam yung ginagawa nila, alam [ang] mga technicalities, accountable sa ginagawa nila, and maglilingkod [talaga] sa mga barangay.”
To further prepare, De Leon notes that when it comes to filing your candidacy, you should be ready to wait in long lines as well as handle lots of papers to be able to run.
It’s all worth it in the end, though, as long as it means helping to give the youth a voice on issues currently rampant in the Philippines.
De Leon said that BSKE isn’t just about casting ballots; it’s a testament to the belief of the masses in the power of local governance, wherein decisions made at even the barangay level could affect the entire nation.
“Our youth today are the leaders of tomorrow, and by involving them early in [the] democratic process, we are investing in the future stability of our nation,” she said firmly.
“Involving the youth in government creates a bridge between generations. The importance of the BSKE and youth involvement in the government cannot be overstated. It’s not just about the present; it’s about paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive, and more innovative future.”
