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Youth Participation in the Local

Government Process
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Introduction

With the youth sector comprising roughly a third of the population, there

has never been a better time to invest in young people than now. The Philippines

has been making this investment for more than two decades now from its first

forays into youth participation through the Kabataang Barangay of the 1970s,

and up to its current form, now known as the Sangguniang Kabataan as

stipulated in the 1991 Local Government Code.

Notably, the Sangguniang Kabataan is the quintessential example of

youth participation in local governance. Moreover, Sangguniang Kabataan is a

testament to the Philippine Government’s recognition of the potential of the youth

to contribute to national development. Though it has been touted as a landmark

institution that promotes the engagement of the youth in governance, research

shows that the system is beset with problems. Talk about programs and projects

that are not aligned with the country’s vision for nation building and development

(Ortiz, 2012).

Undeniably, the future of good governance rests on the shoulders of the

youth. It is imperative that young people themselves actively take part in their

own development and the development of their communities. The Sangguniang

Kabataan is a venue for young people to reach out and engage their fellow youth

in effecting positive change in society.. As such, SK serves as one of the

mechanisms for the youth to live up to this century-old challenge. The youth are

not simply given space for participation in government; through the SK, the youth

are given the right and obligation to govern. Given a government perturbed by
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corrupt practices, vested interests, patron-client relationship and administrative

inefficiencies, the SK is fated to infuse new politics and good governance in

public administration.

According to Concepcion (2014), the SangguniangKabataan has

tremendous potential to become a true venue for youth participation in

governance. Giving the youth a seat in local governments, providing them with a

budget mandated by law, listening to them and providing venues for them to

meaningfully take part in shaping local policies and programs like sports,

infrastructure development and environmental protection could transform young

people into significant members of the community. It is in this context that this

study is hereby proposed. It shall look into the participation of the youth in the

local government process in selected barangays in Bayambang.

Statement of the Problem

This study shall look into the participation of the youth in the local

government process in selected barangays in Bayambang in the light of the

presence or existence of the Sangguniang Kabataan.

Specifically, this study shall answer the following sub-problems:

1. What is the profile of the youth in Bayambang in terms of:

a. Age

b. Sex

2. What is the level of participation of the youth in the government local

process in terms of involvement in SK-initiated programs and projects?

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3. What are the problems encountered by the youth in their participation in

the government local process?

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study shall look into the participation of the youth in the government

local process in Bayambang in terms of their involvement in the programs and

projects. It shall take into scope the profile of the youth in terms of their age and

sex as well as their level of participation in the government local process in

terms of their involvement in SK-initiated programs and projects and the

problems they have encountered in their participation in the local government

process.

The respondents of this study shall be limited only to the youth in selected

barangays in Bayambang.

Data as to the profile of the respondents, their level of participation in the

local government process and the problems they have encountered in their

participation to SK-initiated programs and projects shall be obtained through the

use of a questionnaire. The data on their profile shall be analyzed using

frequency and percentage distribution while their level of participation in the local

government process and the problems they have encountered in their

participation to SK-initiated programs and projects shall be analyzed using mean.

Significance of the Study

The merits in the findings of this study are intended for practical benefits

along the interests of the following:

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Policymakers and other Government Officials. The data and their

analyses presented in this study may induce awareness-raising among

concerned government officials in general and policymakers in particular relative

to the performance of the SK officials on their mandated duties. The different

variables in this study can cue to government officials and policymakers the

possible interplay of certain variables that will shed light for their clearer

understanding of the potential factors or conditions that shall ensure the youth

participate in the local government process.

SK Officials. The results of this study shall make them aware of how

stakeholders or constituents regard their performance of their mandated duties

and responsibilities and, thereby, adopt measures by which they can bring to

fruition the mandates of the Local Government Code in the conduct of their

duties and responsibilities.

Youth in the Barangay. This variables in this study shall provide them a

clearer and deepened understanding of the programs and projects by which they

can participate in the local government process.

Parents. The measures used in assessing the level of participation of the

youth in the local government process shall serve as a guide for the parents in

guiding their children to actively take part in the initiatives and programs of the

SK officials, be it in the functions of a SK official, member or a resident of the

barangay.

Other Researchers. The results of this study shall provide other avenues

by which the performance of SK officials on their mandated duties can be

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assessed and./or improved. Other researchers can replicate this study to see if it

shall yield similar or different results.