“The proposed abolition is an exaggeration. Our group recognizes the weaknesses of the SK system which is the reason why we filed House Bill 1963, Sangguniang Kabataan Strengthening and Reform Act. Indeed, there is corruption in the bureaucracy from the national to the local levels. Political dynasties are also extending their nefarious sphere of influence down to the SK level. (Trapo for adults and Bimbo for young politicians – Batang Itinulak ng Magulang sa Pulitika). The idealism of the youth is wasted when SK leaders mutate into young trapo monsters. But we have been bad role models for SK leaders. Instead of teaching them the principles of good governance, we have only exposed them to the worst features of politics. If corruption, ineffectiveness, and promotion of political dynasties are cited as the reasons to abolish the SK, there are equally deserving government agencies, both local and national, which should be abolished as well,” – Kabataan Party-List Representative Raymond V. Palatino.

“I am not in favor of the abolition of SK because the youth are the catalysts of change and they should be given a chance to be involved in nation building,” – Senator Miguel Zubiri.

“I’m not in favor. Ang SK ang nakakakita at nakapagbibigay ng needs ng kabataan. Ang mas maganda siguro, i-develop na lang natin yung SK. Minsan kasi, ang alam lang ng mga tao kapag SK, pa-liga. Pagyamanin nalang natin ang kaalaman ng SK,” – Luis Asistio III, 4th Year Political Science,
president, Student Organizations Coordinating Council, UST

“Pabor ako sa pag-abolish ng SK kasi sa ngayon hindi ko naman sila nararamdaman. Kahit na sabihin pa nating may mga programa sila, hindi pa rin sapat para bigyan sila ng mga benefits. Lalo pa ngayon, nababalitaan ko na laganap na ang corruption sa SK. Sa tingin ko, dagdag lang sila sa mga future politicians na wala naman ding magandang ibibigay sa Pilipinas,” – Mary Jane Medina, 19, 4th year Communication Arts, UST

“Hindi ako pabor sa pag-abolish ng SK kasi sa tingin ko, mawawalan ng paraan yung mga kabataan na magbigay ng ideya tungkol sa mga problema natin. Isa pa, iba din ang focus ng mga mambabatas natin,” – Irene Kristine Lukban, 20, 4th Year BS Biology, Ateneo de Manila University

“The youth have an equal right to be represented and to be heard in important national and local issues. The needs of the youth also differ from the other groups. Without an official representative from the group itself, there is only a little chance that these will be addressed by the government. Government should just think of ways to improve SK to enhance the potentials and skills of the Filipino youth.” – Angela May Caguitla, 20, 4th year BS-Public Health, UP Manila

“I understand the points presented by PNoy, and I agree with him. In our community, I have never felt the presence of the SK. I haven’t even heard about an activity from them. I think that the budget allotted to them is more than enough. What’s disturbing is that even if the SK exists, the youth is not developing. There are still minors who engage in drugs while some commit crimes. I ran for SK kagawad when I was 17, and that was because the line-up of one group is not complete. With that, I think that sincerity is also an issue. The youth would not get the motivation they need if their leaders are not sincere. At 17, I actually cannot decide to reject the offer since a position in the local government would be exciting. What the SK needs right now is a reorganization, not abolition. The SK needs to review their rules and structure because they are not effective as they should have been.,” – Yoshiko Zoe De Villa, 19, IV-ChE, DLSU

“I’m not in favor of abolishing the SK. Instead, laws should be passed to empower it, laws that would actually give them a say in their communities. I believe that they shouldn’t be limited to just initiating plans and programs for the youth, they should be involved in making decisions that would affect the whole community. To develop our society, we must understand one another and look at each other’s perspective,” – Kevin A. Santos, 19, 4th year Journalism, UST

“I am in favor of the proposal to abolish the SK. I’ve lived 20 years and until now I never had any idea on what the SK does. So the name speaks for the youngsters to participate in government or to advocate their rights, then what? I think that the importance of education still matters more than the issue of SK. I think its best to redirect the attention of the youth to what they really need, quality education,” – Lucero Kristian Renz G., 20, first year student, FEU-EAC