The Anatomy of Barangay Youth Federations

Barangay Youth Federations are community-based organizations that are composed of smaller organizations representing a zone or sitio (a administrative division of a barangay). The federation therefore acts as the umbrella organization of the sitio/puork/zone youth organizations, which is the base organization. They are officially recognized by the barangay as its partner in facilitating youth concern and action.

This form of youth organization has slowly risen as an alternative form of youth participation and representation in barangay governance in the advent of the SK suspension. In Cagayan de Oro City, we have seen a considerable rise of barangay youth federations in the major barangays. Former SK leaders or Barangay Kagawad in charge of youth affairs mainly facilitated its creation.

This organic form holds several advantages namely:

1.   Its grassroots reach. Since each sitio or zone is represented, there is broader representation among the youth. Youth leaders can easily mobilize and communicate concerns and action since their members are living in close proximity to one another.

2.     Greater age bracket. Unlike SK, which has a smaller age window (15-18), youth federations are generally accept members raging from 15-30 years old (NYC definition of youth). This age variation offers a rich opportunity to diffuse knowledge and train successors.

3.     Volunteerism is emphasized. There is no form of salary given as remuneration in this case. It is simply propelled by the desire to participate in barangay governance. Resources needed by the organizations are mainly derived from the SK fund, membership dues or fund raising activities.

4.     Leadership flexibility. The leadership of the federation is more fluid and dynamic. It does not entail massive spending for elections since the election of a federation president is not direct. It is similar to a parliamentary form where the representatives elect among themselves the federation president and the same way they elect to vote him or her out due to lack of confidence. This insulates them from external political maneuvering and encourages autonomy in their decision-making.

The challenges:

1.     Resources. Funding for the youth federation is mainly sourced through the SK fund but they have to explore other means of generating funds in order to be more independent. 

2.     Their role may be thrown in limbo once the SK law is passed. But this creates an opportunity for the new SK to see the youth federation as their clearly defined constituency. The SK then acts as the official representatives of the federation in barangay governance. The SK is no longer alone in overseeing the affairs of the youth. Also, in the other side, the federation can influence policy and leadership of the SK as their constituents.

3.     Youth Agenda Articulation. The youth org must strive to transcend from being seen as mere manpower or events organizer of the barangay. They should be able to articulate and measure their development and influence policy based on that.  This requires constant capacity building and citizenship education in order to solidify this culture.