Instead of scrapping youth leadership bodies like the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is calling for stronger reforms, saying programs like student councils and youth governance remain essential in shaping future leaders.
Speaking before students at the Cebu Technological University, Cayetano stressed that the issue is not the existence of youth programs but how they are supported and managed.
“If the student is being taught by the teacher to be corrupt, why will you abolish the student? Why not abolish the teacher?”
“There were three stands. One is to abolish [SK] completely. The other one is to keep it as it is. And the other one is [to have] major reforms. [But] if the student is being taught by the teacher to be corrupt, why will you abolish the student? Why not abolish the teacher? ‘Di ba? Logic lang,” the seasoned lawmaker explained.
The minority leader said he has long opposed calls to remove such programs following discussions last year about possibly abolishing or postponing SK elections. The senator argued that problems like corruption stem from influence, not from the youth themselves.
For him, the answer lies in strengthening, not removing, these institutions.
“[We should put] emphasis on prioritization. I think student councils prepare you. It’s a lesson in democracy, it’s a lesson in governance. Whether it’s SK, the student council, we lack the emphasis, the prioritization, the funds, and the program to actually train you to be leaders,” Cayetano said.
He also pointed out that while training programs exist, they often lack the support needed to be effective.
“Training programs are important. But programs need resources. It needs money, it needs models, it needs mission and vision, it needs mentors,” Cayetano stressed.
“Youth leadership programs should be treated as long-term investments.”
He said youth leadership programs should be treated as long-term investments, stressing the need to empower young leaders who often bring a more idealistic perspective to public issues.
Strengthening these programs, Cayetano added, can help bridge the gap between campus governance and public service and better prepare future leaders.
“Remember your power. Ang students mas pure ang hinihingi niyan kasi mas malawak pa [at] mas idealistic pa ‘yung pag-iisip,” he concluded.
