Bong Go to SK: Utilize Funds Properly to Protect Youth from Illegal Drugs, Criminality, and Corruption

FORMER SPECIAL to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, together with National Youth Commission (NYC) Chairman Ronald Cardema, has called on government agencies concerned with the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) funds to fast track the release of the fund guidelines.

Go said that the release of fund guidelines will enable the 400,000 SK leaders of the country to finally utilize the funds for their projects and activities in the 42,000 barangays for the protection and welfare of the youth.

According to Go, the Duterte Administration returned the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) last year to empower the millions of Filipino Youth to elect their youth leaders and to be the direct partners of our government in fighting illegal drugs as well as in reporting crimes, terrorism, and corruption in their respective barangays. “As our partners for change, let us equip them with the proper resources to fulfill their mandate. Binigyan natin sila ng responsibilidad sa bayan, kaya dapat rin natin sila mabigyan ng kapasidad na gampanan ito,” he said.

Go said that SK leaders cannot properly function if they cannot tap the 10% of the barangay funds solely allocated for the SK.

According to NYC Chairman Cardema, the only remaining obstacle is the release of the SK fund guidelines being formulated now by DBM, DILG, and COA.

Go added that the SK should also push for projects that can mobilize the youth in helping government respond to disasters in their towns and provinces, and in spreading nationalism in schools and communities.  Go has supported calls for the immediate release of the SK fund guidelines as he considers barangay officials such as those part of the SK to be frontliners in the Duterte administration’s war against drugs, crime, and corruption.

Go added that SK leaders play a crucial role in making sure that the youth at the barangay level do not engage in the sale or use of drugs by focusing the youth’s energies on useful projects that can further develop themselves as productive members of their communities.  “Wala kaming ibang hangarin ni Pangulong Duterte kung hindi kabutihan ng bawat Pilipino lalo na ang pagbigay ng magandang kinabukasan sa ating kabataan,” he said.

On the part of the National Youth Commission, Chairman Cardema thanked and commended former SAP Bong Go for his initiatives for the Filipino Youth, especially in helping fund and mobilize the 400,000 SK leaders of the country for nation building. “Ngayon pa lang, nagpapasalamat na ang mga SK leaders ng bansa sa aming SK (SAP Kuya) Bong Go sa pagfa-facilitate nitong malaking pangangailangan na ito ng lahat ng SK leaders para mapamunuan nang maayos ang milyun-milyong kabataang Pilipino tungo sa pagbabago ng kanilang mga barangay at ng ating bansa.” NYC Chairman Ronald Cardema said. (Jun Ledesma)