As the 2023 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections draw to a close, Filipinos hoped the potential bets would initiate other programs for the youth apart from typical basketball leagues.
A Facebook page on Sunday, October 22 shared a note dedicated to “the soon-to-be SK officials.”
“Please consider other sports events aside from basketball. There are still other youth who could benefit from your sports programs,” it reads.
The post has reached a whopping number of 157,000 likes and reactions, 72,000 shares and over 3,100 comments so far.
Most Filipinos in the comments section agreed with the post, while others shared suggestions on what the barangay youth council can do apart from the usual basketball leagues.
These include giving attention to other sports and interests.
“Honestly, we lack so much on global Football presence. Filipino ballers are known for their incredible agility, being shifty and good footwork. Imagine all of that being translated [into] Football. Filipinos are better built for Football rather than Basketball. Let’s give it a chance, nurture and cultivate them early on,” a Facebook user wrote.
“Esports!” a different user commented, referring to electronic sports wherein multiplayer video game players compete with each other.
“Seminars, workshops, trainings in relation to sports will do, entrepreneurship seminar…” another Facebook user suggested.
A different user commented that the youth council can initiate activities like “job fairs” and conduct “trainings” to help school graduates find employment.
“I-involve nila ang TESDA, kasi [baka] sila ‘di rin equipped para mag-train ng certain jobs. Laking tulong ‘yan. Pasok na rin [sa] TESDA ang job fair,” another user responded to the comment, referring to the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
A different Pinoy hoped the upcoming SK bets could also initiate “first aid training for the youth [and] livelihood program trainings and skills program.”
“Trainings [and] seminars… livelihood program… greening the [barangay],” another Facebook user suggested.
The SK or the barangay youth council provides people ages 15 to 21 years old to participate directly in local governance.
These are young people composed of the chairman, seven members, a secretary and a treasurer.
Some of their duties include crafting the Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan (CBYDP), creating fundraising activities under the CBYDP, implementing programs and projects for the youth and developing committees that will focus on various youth-oriented programs.
Among the most popular programs of SKs are basketball leagues in their barangays. The sport has a high stronghold among Filipinos who are known for their hoops fervor.
Last September, the Region IV-A office of the Department of Interior and Local Government released a video that presented other programs that the SK can focus on apart from basketball.
The 2023 SK elections will be on October 30, along with the Barangay polls.
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