House Speaker pushes for abolition of SK, barangay kagawad posts

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is pushing for the abolition of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and barangay kagawads (councilors), saying they get paid for little work or none at all.

In an interview in Tunga, Leyte Saturday, Alvarez said the proposed abolition was part of the Duterte administration's efforts to rationalize the functions of government officials.

“We are considering abolishing the SK. Kasi ang problema natin dyan, sa paningin ko lang hindi tama,” Alvarez said.

“Kasi 'yung SK, kung pilitin mo yan na magtrabaho bilang SK, hindi yan papasok sa eskwelahan. At kung pilitin mo yan na pumasok sa eskwelahan hindi rin yan magtatrabaho bilang SK. So, sumusweldo yan na wala namang ginagawa,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez, a close ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, further argued that the youth sector already has representation in the House of Representatives.

In the case of barangay kagawads, Alvarez said they should be replaced with purok leaders.

“Sa totoo lang hindi naman talaga nagta-trabaho ito e. Ang nagta-trabaho yung barangay captains. Alam mo sasabihin ko ito kahit maraming magalit sa akin na barangay kagawad. Kasi nga ayusin natin yung ating bansa. Kailangan nating baguhin,” he said.

“Ang proposal ko diyan imbes na barangay kagawads yung mga purok leaders. Yun ang dapat: barangay captains, purok leaders, piliin. Kasi sa totoo lang sa isang barangay ang nagtatrabaho talaga yung mga purok leaders,” Alvarez added.

The abolition of SK officials and barangay councilors, Alvarez said, is among the topics being discussed along with the postponement of the SK and barangay elections initially scheduled October 31.

Alvarez earlier said that it would be “practical” to reset the polls to a later date because pushing through with it would affect appointments or hiring or employees to government positions.

The House of Representatives however has yet to determine the date when the polls could be held, the Speaker said.

President Duterte is also in favor of postponing the barangay and SK polls, noting the possibility of “drug money” being used to fund campaigns.

"Do you know the reason why I also agreed with some congressmen to postpone the barangay elections? Do you know why? Because I am afraid that the drug money will seep into the electoral process," Duterte said last week.  — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/BM, GMA News