Young members of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) has urged Congress to allow the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to push through on Dec. 5, 2022.
In their position paper on the proposed postponement of the BSKE, they said, they believe that electing new leaders is necessary in a democratic country not only to "express our choice, but also as a check and balance to our government." "Given that the last elections were held in 2018, hearing and heeding our choice, especially for us first-time SK voters, is overdue," they said.
"Furthermore, electing a new set of SK leaders will pave the way for potential modification or improvement of, or even entirely new youth programs under a new youth development plan," they added.
Another postponement of the 2022 BSKE, they said, will show that the national government shows little to no significance with regard to the youth’s political participation.
"We young people will again be deprived of the platform to voice out our opinions, a chance to take up space in our community, and most importantly, the opportunity to hone our skills as the succeeding pillars and foundation of our society," they said.
They said the BSKE would allow young voters like them to learn about and realize their crucial role in local communities, and in turn increase their appetite for good governance.
"To deprive us young voters of our opportunity to choose and to serve extinguishes our flaming desire to be involved and to play our role in our communities," they said.
Allowing the BSKE to proceed, they said, would also show that the national leadership prioritizes both national and local development helmed by leaders with a fresh mandate.
"Community leaders must have authority and legitimacy to devise and carry out policies and programs. These are what us, the youth, and the nation, deserve," they said.
The position paper was written by members of Namfrel from the youth that consist of volunteers, interns, and staff members, many of whom were first-time voters in the 2022 national and local elections.