National Consultation on Young People's Electoral Participation

The OYDC, AYLIM, PYAP, KB35 and other youth organizations and youth serving agencies of Northern Mindanao and CARAGA participated in the National Consultation on Young People's Electoral Participation on Oct 24, 2014 at the De Luxe Hotel Cagayan de Oro City.

The discussion focused on the factors of participation such as information, infrastructure, transportation among others. The discussion also highlighted the need to increase awareness on political participation in general in schools and churches. The student councils should be reminded of their potent role in igniting the culture of engaged citizenship in their respective communities. The SK suspension was also a hot topic during the discussions. The government agencies present and some youth leaders agreed that the SK election should be conducted in 2016. This was also opposed by youth leaders who emphasised the need for youth participation in the soonest possible time.

#CDOyouthCODE

What is a local youth code?

A local youth code is a piece of local legislation, which recognizes the vital role of the youth in societal growth and development through the creation of a broader youth participatory mechanism in public governance. The creation of a youth council operationalize this participatory mechanism. It is a recommending body, which is, composed of existing youth organizations organized through sectors within the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit. Furthermore, the local youth code outlines the obligations and responsibilities of the local government unit in terms of youth development. With a law, the body is institutionalized and therefore stand perpetually unless repealed. 

#CDOyouthCode

What is the legal basis?

The 1987 Constitution itself expressly provides in Article II, Section 13 which states that the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. This constitutional mandate was put into life through the enactment of RA 8044 also known as the The Youth in Nation-Building Act. Reading these all together, the Local Government Code of 1991 empowers all local government units, even the barangay to enact laws for the promotion of the general welfare through Section 16 of the said code. The general welfare clause is a broad power which the barangay council can invoke to create the local youth code.  

What are its basic features?

The local youth code, in its basic structure creates or recognizes the following

·       The right of the youth to participate in the policy-making process in the barangay

·       The creation of the barangay youth development council, its responsibilities and powers

·       The appropriation of reasonable funding for the operation of the council

How can we lobby to our local legislative body?

·       Be organized (a group of 10 – 20)

·       Write a letter to your barangay council inviting them to a meeting with your group

·       Present the intent of the Barangay Youth Code and share its potential benefits for the Barangay

·       Join the Barangay Council Meetings

·       Mobilize support online and offline

·       Document and celebrate your progress

·       Share your stories

#brgyCDO

This Sunday, the whole nation will assemble. The Barangay Assembly is the most concrete venue where ordinary citizens can directly exercise their sovereign capacity through the enactment of barangay ordinances and other sovereign functions. This is direct democracy in practice. The Oro Youth Development Council highly encourages the youth and community based youth organisations to join your Barangay Assembly.

#brgyCDO

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Aug. 27 -- The Barangay Assembly for the second semester of calendar year 2014 is scheduled on October 12.

This is per Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2014-100 issued by Secretary Mar Roxas on August 18, 2014 pursuant to Proclamation No. 260, Series of 2011, declaring the last Saturday of March and the second Sunday of October as Barangay Assembly Days.

Memorandum Circular No. 2014-100 enjoined all city and municipal mayors to ensure compliance and maximum participation of all barangays in the conduct of the synchronized barangay assembly, and to post/hang posters or banners in conspicuous places to promote public awareness.

The memorandum circular also mentioned that corresponding administrative complaint against barangay officials who fail to conduct a barangay assembly may be filed by any resident of the barangay or concerned citizen before the sangguniang panlungsod or sangguniang bayan concerned pursuant to Section 61 of the Local Government Code or to the Office of the Ombudsman pursuant to Administrative Order No. 07 or the “Rules of Procedures on the Office of the Ombudsman,” dated April 10, 1990.

Hence, all barangay officials are enjoined to conduct a barangay assembly in their respective barangays for them to deliver their State of Barangay Address (SOBA), discuss the compliance to Barangay Full Disclosure Policy or posting of financial transactions in conspicuous places, and discuss other issues or concerns affecting the barangay.

The general public is also encouraged to attend the barangay assembly for them to be informed on the accomplishments of the barangay officials; updates of on-going barangay programs and projects; and receipts and disbursements of barangay funds.

The barangay assembly is also the avenue for the barangay residents to air complaints or suggest/recommend actions for the people’s well-being and the betterment of the barangays. (Alexander M. Miego/DILG/PIA)