SIKAP E-News

‘Enough is enough,’ youth groups say vs oil price hikes

2008-07-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

Walkout, signature campaign held

By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 13:53:00 07/07/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- Youth groups are up in arms against the continued increase in oil prices, alleged absence of educational reforms, and “the farce of a democracy,” launching a signature campaign and walking out of their classes to urge the government to take immediate action.

Students and members of the group College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) stepped out of their classrooms at University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP-Diliman) on Monday to express “outrage over unending and unjust price increases” and other issues for “social significance,” said president Vijae Alquisola.

The People’s Caravan for Truth, Justice and Change launched “Isang Milyong Lagda, Isang Protesta” (One Million Signatures, One Protest) at the Adamson University in Manila to urge the government to scrap the value added tax on oil and to junk the oil deregulation law.

“We are urging the government to immediately junk its deregulation policy and scrap its 12% value added taxation on oil and petroleum products to be able to somehow lessen fuel prices,” said Mark Louie Aquino, convenor of People’s Caravan.

Alquisola said the administration was accountable for its “continuous extravagance amid scarcity and national disasters,” and its “false promises of education reforms.”

“We are walking out of this farce of a democracy,” he added.

Alquisola said the walkout was to call for “meaningful social change.”

“Seven years of deceit, corruption, tyranny and social injustice has weighed its toll on the youth and the people. Enough is enough,” he said.

Meanwhile, People’s Caravan’s Aquino said the group’s one million signature target would “provide a concrete expression of the broad and urgent sentiment of the people against the worsening hunger and poverty state in the country.”

The group is expected to go around different communities, including villages, workplaces, churches, markets, and public transport terminals to gather one million signatures.

Key areas where the group would be visiting include Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Quezon City, and Pasig City.

“We are challenging the millions of discontented Filipinos to be with us and affix their signatures to express their solidarity and protest against this burning issue of our time,” Aquino said.

I am change, are you?

2008-07-04T04:11:00.000-07:00

By Harvey Keh
Team RP

LAST March, I was invited as commencement speaker of the Western Mindanao State University (WMSU) in Zamboanga City, one of the biggest state universities in the Philippines. During my brief stay, I was able to sit down and talk with some student leaders. I started our discussion with a question. “Who among you here still believes and supports President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” I asked. About a third of them raised their hands. “Who among you here wants the President to resign and step down,” I continued. About half of them raised their hands. I pressed on and asked again, “Who among you here is still undecided?” still some few raised their hands. But when I asked, “Who among you here wants change and reforms in our country and government?” All of them raised their hands.

When I got back to Manila, I held the same discussion with some student leaders from Miriam College in Quezon City and I got a similar response. What am I trying to say?

1. Yes, our country is divided on how we view President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. You have on one side, a group supporting Arroyo despite all the anomalies, allegations of corruption and scandals that have rocked her administration, while on the other, you have groups and highly-influential leaders which have called for her immediate resignation and ouster from power.

2. However, it seems that judging from my experiences in dealing with these student leaders, the people I talk to and the e-mail I get from Filipinos here and abroad, we all want to see positive and lasting change and reforms happen.

That is why I think that if we want to help in bringing our nation together towards a common vision to move our country forward, this unity should not be based on certain personalities like President Arroyo or other politicians. Rather, we need to work together towards building, strengthening and transforming our democratic institutions; that would make them more responsive to the needs of the poor and the powerless in our communities.

Isn’t it sad that we are now facing a food crisis when we were once one of the world’s top agricultural countries? This could be an indirect effect of the one-billion-peso fertilizer scam that was allegedly used to fund President Arroyo’s election. If it was used properly and for the right purpose, then we might not be facing this crisis now or if we do, the effect wouldn’t be as worse.

We at Team RP believe that a fight for change and reforms continues regardless of who becomes the president, vice president, senators, congressmen, etc. We are doing this because we believe that many of our government leaders have failed us and that its time for all of us to take control of our own future and work together for that genuine and lasting change that we all want to see in our country.

Let’s quit making excuses, being inactive, hopeless, indifferent and whiny; these all amount to nothing if we ourselves don’t participate in proactive solutions. 2010 is a big deal for all of us. We will vote for the Philippines’ next top leader in less than two years. Our decision on who will lead us to progress and prosperity is a very important one that could potentially change the course of the country’s future.

Change is now. Hope lies not in our country’s leaders and those in power but in every Filipino. Change does not happen overnight, but when we work together, it can happen in 22 months.

IamChange2010 is a joint project of the Ateneo de Manila School of Government and Team RP. It aims to get the young Filipinos to register and vote in the coming 2010 Presidential elections and educate them on various issues concerning elections. For inquiries, you may also contact Kai at +63 2 4265657.

posted by: aleta

Student governments urge abolition of ‘non-performing’ SK

2007-09-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

By Vincent Cabreza
Inquirer
Last updated 08:10pm (Mla time) 09/05/2007

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines -- The country's student governments want the abolition of the "non-performing" Sangguniang Kabataan (SK or youth councils), now that Congress has begun deliberations on the fate of the barangay (village) and SK elections scheduled next month.

In a September 5 manifesto issued on Tuesday at the close of the National Leadership Training for Student Government Officers at Teachers Camp here, the student leaders said they would launch a letter-writing campaign to draw attention to their appeal.

Joey Pelaez, executive director of the Department of Education's (DepEd) Center for Students and Co-Curricular Affairs, said government must ensure that all youth go to school, a mandatory state service SK officers discard in exchange for salaries and perks offered by weekly city, municipal and provincial council sessions.

Benralph Yu, president of the Region XI Federation of Student Governments, said they do not want the October elections to push through at all to enable government to reallocate the money meant for the polls to augment the budget for public education.

This was not the first appeal for SK abolition, the students said. But their teachers said this was the first position on the SK coming from DepEd.

Yu said student councils are better equipped to represent the country's youth than the SK, a carryover from the Kabataang Barangay (KB or village youth) of the martial law period.

Student leaders said the student councils could begin community work to make up for the vacuum created by the SK’s abolition.

The manifesto, signed by 6,000 high school students and teachers, said the SK elections have "initiated our young early into the ways of traditional politics because of the dirty tricks, vote-buying, kidnap-for-votes or kidnap-not-vote tactics and mudslinging employed by their relatives and parents, who are themselves politicians, and their political patrons."

But Yu said the student governments have not compiled evidence to prove that the SK has become corrupt.

"The SK has lost the bases of its existence with its miserable performance or non-performance to pursue its mandate for 15 years to develop the youth for service, patriotism and leadership, increase their social consciousness and enhance their participation in nation-building," the manifesto said.

"The programs and projects being implemented by the SK are too insignificant if not utterly irrelevant, consisting mostly of construction of waiting sheds and signposts that conspicuously bear and perpetuate the SK officials' names, and wasting precious resources that could have funded more important and urgent concerns such as public education."

Posted by: aleta

MDG Music Video (Tayo Tayo Rin)

2007-08-29T15:09:00.001-07:00

Whatever advocacy issues and concerns SIKAP may focus on in its future endeavors, having the MDGs (Millenium Development Goals) as its framework will prove to be very beneficial. As such, I am posting here the Music Video of the MDG song performed by well-known Filipino artists.

Enjoy the video. =)

posted by aleta

Bohol's New Face

2007-06-10T03:06:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, just thought this article might still be relevant somehow...

Bohol's New Face
culled from the Philippine Daily Inquirer

After handily hurdling the bar exams last year, Adam Jala, 27, is set for another challenge—running for representative of the 3rd District of Bohol under Lakas-CMD.

Although he is the son of the incumbent representative, he is not exempted from having to court votes. He goes around all 49 towns of his district, talking to local leaders and speaking in rallies. He breaks out into a smile while recalling his very first public speaking engagement, where he had to speak to hundreds of people in straight Visayan dialect.

Why run as representative when he could start with, say, councilor? Adam readily answers, “The task of a representative is very unique. He is elected only locally, yet he is tasked to create laws for the country. This is a position that needs both local and national perspective.”

His law degree from Ateneo de Manila University, as well as his familiarity with the problems of his district, would also come in handy. He says that he would rather run for office while still young, as he believes that his youth is an advantage.

“Youth means idealism. The intention for joining public service is pure and untainted, and service is the utmost goal. The drive is public service, not politics.”

He brushes aside criticisms that since he is young, he is inexperienced and irresponsible. If younger candidates start to doubt their own capabilities, he argues, this would create a culture of apathy among the youth.

Read the rest of the article here.

Posted by: aleta

SC chief to youth: Exercise your right to vote

2007-04-07T06:33:00.000-07:00

Mga ka-SIKAP, huwag kalimutang bumoto !!!

Posted April 06, 2007 12:53:00(Mla Time)Tetch Torres

MANILA, Philippines -- Chief Justice Reynato Puno is urging the youth to exercise their right to vote in the May 14 elections.

In his speech during the 92nd Commencement Exercises of the University of Manila, Puno said the youth play a very important role in shaping the country's future."With over a third of the electorate, your generation is in a position to determine the destiny of our country in the next few years, and this is not something you should take lightly,” Puno said.

"This May, we will be called upon to exercise this sacred duty, to elect those who will govern us and make our laws. In this exercise, let us not blame corrupt and incompetent officials should they win at the polls and run our country into the ground, for they are not the enemy -- apathy is our enemy. For unworthy candidates will prevail only when principled voters do not vote," he said.

“Who you put in City Hall, Congress, or the Senate will determine how much taxes you pay, where your taxes will go, and whether some of the rights you enjoy today will no longer be yours tomorrow," he added.

The chief justice noted that of the 49.2 million people of voting age in the Philippines, over 18 million, or at least 36 percent, are between the ages of 18 and 29."Let us remember that at the polls, rich or poor, strong or weak, educated or illiterate, young or old are all equals; we don't have but one vote, and it would be the height of irresponsibility in a democracy to waste your opportunity to have your voices heard, and I make this call especially to the youth who can make a decisive difference on the outcome of the coming elections," Puno said.

"Use your education to not only to improve your lives and that of your family, but to make a difference in the lives of your countrymen," he added.

posted by: aleta

Young People in an Obsolete Society

2007-03-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

Today's column of Prof. Randy David, Public Lives, highlights the role of the youth in "nation-building". Sounds familiar? Yup, it is the fourth goal "SIKAP" stands for. It began with a seeming cynicism on today's culture during elections, the sorry state of the country and migration as a way out of this reality. However, Prof. Randy David optimistically kept the faith by stressing on the youth's vital role in effecting change.

To quote:

"It is to the young people in school that we must look for hope. Unlike their elders, they are not yet captives of the patron-client relationships that are at the center of our everyday life. They are not concerned with preserving privilege but with breaking its structure. xxx

But judging alone from the types of courses they choose (nursing being the most favored course today), we can see at once that their sights are also set on work abroad. They seem to have little time, if any, for the issues that pre-occupy the country. In many university forums where I have spoken, I have asked how many in the audience are registered voters. At most, only about 20 percent raise their hands. The rest seem dazed , unable to locate the place that politics might occupy in their lives. But they listen, and after a while they begin to ask questions.

Quite obviously, the initiative, the trigger, the jolt that will break the spell of depoliticization, has to come from somewhere else. Perhaps it has to come from the young professionals who have stayed, the ones currently occupying the bottom rungs of the shrinking middle class. They would have first-hand experience with all the habits of a dysfunctional society. Even if they may be set on leaving the country eventually, they cannot help but feel violated by the cyclical rule of the corrupt and the unfit. xxx"

His last paragraph was the clincher. This is "US"... guys and gals of SIKAP. I couldn't help but feel "alluded" to... This is what we are, this is what we are doing and intend to do in Congress,this is our niche, this is our brand. We are on the right track and we should keep moving forward, never looking back.

"Young professionals have a natural constituency in the youth who are in school. But they have to recover from the despair brought about by the failed expectations of the two Edsas. For them to unleash the energy of the young, they must summon the audacity to imagine and offer themselves as the ALTERNATIVE."

and we did... I just truly hope the voting public accept our "offer" ...

Conceive, Believe, Plan and Achieve!!! More power SIKAP!!!

(Click the title to read the full article of Prof. Randy David)

Posted by ka-SIKAP aleta =)

SIKAP conducts Voters Ed for Students

2007-03-05T05:29:00.000-08:00

Photographer: SIKAP Field Operations Officer Totskie Mosende

Young Muslim leaders to talk about peace in De Oro gathering

2007-02-28T06:18:00.000-08:00

Written by Samira Gutoc / MindaNews
Wednesday, 28 February 2007 09 26 34

MARAWI CITY (MindaNews/27 Feb) -- Poor Muslim Mindanao has some wealth, its young professionals, which include opposition spokesperson and Harvard law graduate Adel Tamano. They are idealistic, passionate, political and hobnob with Manila’s elite, but distance themselves from traditional leaders and politicos.

Seeming frustrated by the never ending peace talks, these Muslim yuppies cannot wait for the fruits of the peace negotiations for development to begin.

Some have forsaken jobs in Manila's air-conditioned high-rise buildings and instead returned to their hometowns to make a difference.

Read more here.

Party-list wants AFP chief censured for endorsing Palparan

2007-02-26T15:05:00.000-08:00

By Jerome Aning
Inquirer - Last updated 11:41pm (Mla time) 02/26/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Labor groups scored on Monday retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan's reported interest in running for a seat in the House of Representatives under the party-list system in the coming May elections.

The Partido ng Manggagawa, which occupies one seat in the House, also wanted Armed Forces of the Philippines chief-of-staff Hermogenes Esperon censured for practically endorsing Palparan's candidacy.

"Of course Esperon will make it appear that he is not campaigning for Palparan. But it is enough that Esperon says he hopes Palparan succeeds in the party-list elections for it to be interpreted by the chain of command as a virtual endorsement," PM vice chair Rivera explained.

SIKAP International Marathoners 2007

2007-02-25T19:04:00.000-08:00

SIKAP joined the 3rd International Philippine Marathon held today, 25 February 2007, at Fort Bonifacio, Makati City. The marathon, dubbed as Takbo para sa Pasig, was dedicated for the rehabilitation of the ailing Pasig River in Metro Manila.

This is SIKAP's second run in two weeks. Last week was with DZMM's Takbo para sa Kalikasan.

There's (sponsored by Pasig City Government) another Takbo para sa Pasig on March 18, 2007. Expect us to be there.

Some snapshots:

SIKAP Commissioner ZYMosende shows off his SIKAP Shirt after finishing the 5-kilometer run.

SIKAP Member Teresa (5K), SIKAP Commissioner ZYMosende (5K), and SIKAP Operations Officer Totskie (10K) on a souvenir pose after getting Takbo para sa Pasig shirts.

Commissioner ZYMosende with 42K 7th-placer.

Of course, SIKAP's Totskie with fellow 10K finisher Senator Pia Cayetano.

SIKAP runners with Jho-An Banayag , 42K Grand Champion (also a fellow Bisaya - a Davaoena) Female Division.

Related news here.

Filipinos in Singapore to test Internet voting

2007-02-24T17:36:00.000-08:00

The Philippine Star 02/22/2007

SINGAPORE (AFP) – In a first for the Philippines' cumbersome electoral process, Filipinos working in Singapore can use the Internet to vote for their candidates in May mid-term elections, the service provider said.

Spanish technology firm Scytl said on its website that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila has awarded the firm a contract to conduct the Philippines' first online voting.

Filipinos in tech-savvy Singapore will be the first to try the system.

"The Comelec has awarded a contract to Scytl to carry out the first Internet election in the Philippines," the company said.

read more: http://philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702220415.htm

posted by: Mel Mags,SIKAP HQ

PPCRV faces tug-of-war with parties, bets over poll volunteers

2007-02-23T17:41:00.000-08:00

The Philippine Star 02/22/2007

The Catholic Church's election watchdog, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), faces a major concern in its bid to ensure credible elections on May 14: an apparent tug-of-war with political parties and candidates in getting volunteers.

PPCRV chairwoman Henrietta De Villa admitted it was this "sort of competition" that prompted the group to start its recruitment of poll watchers as early as September last year: "At the end of the day, we are really competing with the (political) parties. I think they offer P5,000 to each volunteer, so how can we top that when some of our poll watchers even shouldered their own expenses in previous elections?"

read more: http://philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702220420.htm

posted by: Mel Mags, SIKAP HQ

SIKAP on DZRM

2007-02-22T08:19:00.000-08:00

Sigaw ng Kabataang Pinoy (SIKAP) Executive Manager Rommel "MEL" Magalong was interviewed today, 22 February 2006, by DZRM 1278 on kabataan (youth) issues. Mel highlighted SIKAP's fourfold goals which center on youth empowerment and welfare.

Kabataan party list to campaign vs political turncoats

2007-02-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

By Jeffrey M. Tupas
Mindanao Bureau - Last updated 05:31pm (Mla time) 02/14/2007

DAVAO CITY -- The Mindanao chapter of a youth party list will mount a campaign that will paint political butterflies as “total turnoffs.”

Karla Hyasmind Apat, vice president for Mindanao of the Kabataan (Youth) party list, said politicians "who are jumping fences do not emanate a good example in terms of holding on to a commitment."

"Politicians who shift from one fence to another only deserve the voters' second thoughts in the coming elections," Apat said.

Adopt-a-Commissioner’ might bring more transparency

2007-02-19T20:16:00.001-08:00

By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net - Last updated 06:15pm (Mla time) 02/19/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Election commissioner Rene Sarmiento has suggested that civil society look into the possibility of using the "adopt-a-commissioner initiative" as a strategy to encourage "transparency" in the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Sarmiento made his suggestion at a forum organized by the Transparency and Accountability Network (TAN), which hosted the event to launch an initiative to ensure the person appointed to fill the vacant commissioner's post in the Comelec does not become the cause of another "Garci controversy."

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=50379

Posted by: Mel Mags,SIKAP HQ

Comelec not printing excess ballots

2007-02-19T18:53:00.001-08:00

Inquirer - Last updated 06:24pm (Mla time) 02/19/2007

MANILA -- A ballot for each registered voter, no more, no less.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos, Sr., assured the public on Monday that the poll body would not print excess ballots, to quell fears of massive cheating in the May elections in the wake of newspaper reports (not in the Philippine Daily Inquirer) that the poll body was printing an additional four million ballots for the May 14 elections.

"The ratio is 1:1 only, not more than that. There will be no more ballots printed for spoilage because we have seen in past elections that not 100 percent [of registered voters] vote," Abalos said.

Posted by: Mel Mags SIKAP HQ

Swallow the bitter pill, exec tells June ‘06 nursing passers

2007-02-19T18:46:00.001-08:00

By Leila Salaverria
Inquirer - Last updated 07:17pm (Mla time) 02/19/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- Swallow the bitter pill if your request is rejected.

In case the US Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools would deny the government's appeal, passers of the tainted June 2006 nursing licensure examination must accept the American organization's decision not to give them VisaScreen certificates unless they comply with certain requirements, Dante Ang of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas said.

The US-CGFNS earlier said the June 2006 passers would not be eligible for VisaScreen certificates, a federally approved screening program for foreign health workers seeking an occupational visa in the US, unless they retake and pass Tests 3 and 5, which were earlier tainted by the leakage.

read more:http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/news/view_article.php?article_id=50371

Posted by: Mel Mags, SIKAP,HQ

Professionals advocating safe sex form party-list group

2007-02-19T18:22:00.000-08:00

(SIKAP Partylist in the news)

Vows to push reproductive health issues

By Vincent Cabreza
Northern Luzon Bureau - Last updated 06:41pm (Mla time) 02/19/2007

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines -- A party-list group advocating safe sex has signed up to run against 44 other sectoral parties in the May elections to unify support for population management and safe sex legislation.

Sigaw ng Kabataang Pilipino (Sikap) decided to campaign on a "reproductive health" platform because of "unsettling developments" in the government's population management plans for 2007, said Russel Aleta Solitario, party commissioner for advocacy.

SIKAP with Sen. Pia Cayetano

2007-02-18T13:36:00.000-08:00

Ten-kilometer Takbo para sa Kalikasan participant (10K Runner No. 1394), Companera Pia Cayetano, joins SIKAP for a photo souvenir. The warm senator is also sponsoring another marathon for the environment, this time only among women. Know more about her works in the senate through her website (www.senatorpiacayetano.com).

Teen broadcast journalists get to tell stories

2007-02-18T13:31:00.000-08:00

By Ellen Wong
Inquirer - Last updated 02:37am (Mla time) 02/19/2007

MANILA, Philippines--Dressed in jeans, pink t-shirt and bright sequined shoes, 19-year-old Apple Fale jumps up and down holding a microphone.

Wearing a yellow top and a neon lemon headband, Nicai de Guzman, 17, bops her headphone-wrapped head to music only she can hear.

For his part, Angelo Supe, 19, his hair dyed and spiked, counts down with his fingers: Five, four, three, two, one…

Read more here.

SIKAP Notes: This is youth empowerment. How do you think SIKAP or the youtj can maximize this opportunity? Please let us know.

SIKAP joins DZMM's TAKBO para sa KALIKASAN

2007-02-17T17:50:00.000-08:00

All SIKAP Takbo para sa Kalikasan runners received a Takbo T-Shirt (witha special SIKAP Print) and a number bib (with a number barcode to record time).
And those who finished the run got a Certificate of Completion.

Marathoner Mayor Fred Lim is flocked by SIKAP runners.

SIKAP contingent reaches the FINISH LINE of the 5K run.. SIKAP Commissioner Luis Pedroso held the SIKAP banner from start to finish.

SIKAP Operations Manager Jun Ona showing the "Y" for YOUTH sign... the main icon of the SIKAP Logo. Jun finished first among the SIKAP runners. Congrats!

The TAKBO Finishers.... jubilant! SIKAP is joined by KASAGPI supporters. VP Ace Divino leads the group!

SIKAP contingent on the 5-kilometer start. Sen. Pia Cayetano is seen on the left.

Photographers: Toto Mosende (SIKAP Field Operation Officer) and ZYMosende (SIKAP Commissioner).

The COMELEC Blogs

2007-02-16T17:28:00.000-08:00

Visit: www.comelec.wordpress.com

All candidates must undergo drug test--Comelec

2007-02-16T16:07:00.001-08:00

But no penalties for violators, says spokesman
By Erwin Oliva- INQUIRER.net
Last updated 06:22pm (Mla time) 02/15/2007

MANILA, Philippines -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered mandatory drug tests for all candidates in the mid-term elections but shied away from penalizing those who fail to comply with its directive.

"All candidates for public office, both national and local, in the May 14, 2007 synchronized national and local elections shall undergo mandatory drug test in government forensic laboratories or any drug testing laboratories monitored and accredited by the Department of
Health," according to a new resolution posted on Comelec's blog.

Read more:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=49667

Party-list groups likely to stay in Congress

2007-02-14T18:14:00.001-08:00

The Philippine Star 02/15/2007

Several leftist and militant party-list groups led by Bayan Muna are likely to make it in May and return to the House of Representatives to represent their respective sectors.

National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales, who has been waging a crusade to prevent the election of persons identified with the communist movement, will have to do a lot of campaigning to prevent the victory of representatives of these groups.

Read more:
http://philstar.com/philstar/NEWS200702150413.htm

Posted by: MelMags, SIKAP HQ
Empower the Youth. Hear Their Voices.

Support SIKAP - SIGAW ng KABATAANG PINOY!
Visit www.sikap.org

SIKAP convenes Council of Vice Presidents

2007-02-12T19:27:00.000-08:00

In the second meeting of the Vice-Presidents last 12 February 2007, VP Abaja reported the various meetings conducted in Luzon to push partnership of SIKAP with individuals and groups. Updates from Visayas and Mindanao were also presented like the meetings conducted by VP Uy with other local legislators and groups in the visayas and the organizational meetings conducted by VP Lituanas in Mindanao. It was also reported that VP Asiatico presented SIKAP during the KASAGPI general assembly in Quezon City as well as during the meeting of the RH Advocacy Network (RHAN-Youth).

VP Custodio reported an update regarding the participation of SIKAP during the Takbo ng Kabataan para sa Kalikasan. VP Dimayuga shared the need to focus on HIV/AIDS as a priority concern for the migrant youth. VP Garayblas-Aquino will look into organizations of young professionals and into the fast increasing employment in the call centers. VP Adviento will look into organizing chapters or allies of SIKAP in the campuses as well as conduct of voter’s education campaign inside the schools.

All Vice-presidents will intensify recruitment and volunteers in their respective areas or sectors.

---
Send you comments and suggestions to secretariat@sikap.org

SIKAP organizes Commissioners En Banc

2007-02-12T19:24:00.000-08:00

Alliance-building Commission reported the series of meetings and tie-up activities conducted with individuals, groups, and organizations. Membership Commission pushed for adoption of the “Trustee” concept to respond to the impracticality of gathering all members in the designated areas. Rules and Protocols Commission reported the progress in the drafting of the Manual of Operations as well as the rules for the nomination. The Research and Issue Determination Commission worked on the profiles of the various youth sector and build up the data for SIKAP stand on issues. Election Management Commission presented the menu for campaign activities and requested all the vice-presidents to come up with area-specific or sector-specific proposals for the campaign. These were among the matters discussed in the en banc meeting.

Commissioners identified as priorities the following: on-line advocacy, parameters for tie-up, sectoral and area profiles, sector and area specific campaign plans, rules for voting via net, and speakers and writers bureau.

---
Send you comments and suggestions to secretariat@sikap.org

Tuloy po kayo sa SIKAP!

2007-02-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

Ito po ang SIGAW nating mga KABATAAN! SIKAP, ang SIGAW ng KABATAANG PINOY!

Photographer: Toto Mosende

SIKAP in DZME Radio

2007-01-23T08:06:00.000-08:00

Voice of the Youth (VOTY) Network invited SIKAP in their regular VOTY sa Radyo program. SIKAP Secretary General Cesar (Mong) delaFuente and Advocacy Committee Director Russel Aleta Solitario represented SIKAP.

Listen to the podcast of the SIKAP's DZME appearance at:
http://voty.podOmatic.com/entry/2007-01-22T19_59_41-08_00
(Courtesy of VOTY Podomatic)

SIKAP Contact Details

2007-01-15T17:38:00.000-08:00

SIKAP stands for Sigaw ng Kabataang Pinoy Partylist (Voice of the Filipino Youth).

It is a Partylist running for a seat in the Philippine Congress on May 2007 Philippine National Elections.

Official Homepage: www.sikap.org
Email: secretariat@sikap.org
Postal Address:
No. 813 Building, P. Noval St., Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines

Telefax: (+63-2) 493-9559

SIKAP Download Center

2007-01-15T06:12:00.000-08:00

Official Documents

Manual of Operations
Official ID

Forms

Membership Form
Nomination Form

Information Materials

Leaflet
Tarpaulin
Logo

Others Essential Documents

Join SIKAP

2007-01-15T05:29:00.000-08:00

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SIKAP addresses 4 vital youth issues

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ISSUE 1: Youth participation in nation building is weak despite existing supportive legal frameworks. (Read more)

ISSUE 2: A growing number of youth are engaging in risky behaviors without fully understanding its consequences. (Read more)

ISSUE 3: Despite the provision of free secondary education, many Filipino youth, particularly those living in remote areas, do not have access to secondary education. (Read more)

ISSUE 4: There is scarcity of local employment opportunities for young workers. (Read more)

SIKAP Vision

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SIKAP envisions a society, which values the Filipino youth and empowers them to become partners in nation-building.

SIKAP Goal

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SIKAP aims to contribute to better quality of life where young people are capable of making dignified choices, have passion to pursue personal goals, able to build and make known their voices, and become partners in nation-building.

Key Principles of SIKAP

2007-01-10T05:46:00.000-08:00

Youth empowerment and better quality of life are the cornerstones of SIKAP’s campaign. SIKAP thus upholds the following principles:

Well-informed and educated Filipino youth, with strong love for country and culture, as key to nation-building
Optimum opportunity for the Filipino youth to pursue productive endeavors
Youth in the forefront of democratic and progressive society nurtured by idealism and leadership
Youth agenda and concerns integrated in local and national plans
Equity and equality in all matters concerning youth welfare

ISSUE 1: Youth participation in nation building is weak despite existing supportive legal frameworks.

2007-01-09T04:30:00.000-08:00

Barriers to Youth Empowerment and Well-being

BACKGROUND ON ISSUE 1:
Limited political participation

Only 14 out of 236 national legislators are below the age of 35, which is just six percent of the total.
In party-list system of representation, no youth formation has yet been able to hurdle the two percent threshold to earn a seat in Congress.
A Social Weather Station (SWS) survey conducted in 1996 found that 10 percent of Filipino youth were involved in a youth organization. 6 per cent were involved in arts, music or educational organizations, 3 per cent in a charitable organization and one per cent in a political party, labour union or professional association. Some 60 per cent of those surveyed said they were disinterested in politics.
The same survey revealed that only 14 percent of Filipinos aged 15-30 have ever participated in government youth programs.
A survey commissioned by the Episcopal Commission on Youth of the Catholic Church in 2002 reveals that only 11.8 percent of young people polled believed that being a responsible voter is the best expression of love of country. Only four in 10 say they are socially involved in one way or the other. 41.7 percent they’re “afraid to get involved,” followed by 30.5 percent feel their participation “will not make a difference.” Close to 20 percent say social involvement is a “waste of time.”
Lack of awareness on laws and policies concerning youth participation at the international level

Limited capacity and capability in the management of youth-centered programs and projects

National Youth Commission (NYC) still ill-equipped to coordinate and monitor the implementation of government, NGO and youth sector programmes at the regional and local levels.
The SK is criticized for not doing enough to mobilize young people politically; it puts most of its efforts into sports and sport competitions.
Corruption in the SK as a function of the negative influence of elder officers.
As many services affecting youth have been devolved to the local level, there are no regional bodies in place that are able to coordinate youth projects at the regional and local level.
Insufficient budgetary support for youth programmes and projects

SIKAP STAND ON ISSUE 1:

The NYC should have adequate resources, both financial and human, to effectively coordinate and monitor youth policies, programs and projects. It should have the capacity to mainstream youth-specific programs in various departments and agencies in areas such as gender equality, poverty alleviation, securing rights of young people in need of special protection, among others.
The current role of the SK is not maximized. There is a need to further strengthen the SK as well as improve linkages between the SK and the NYC. Training of elected SK officers focused on leadership, community management, and capability building is necessary.
The youth should critically engage in the political system to inject reforms.
There is a need to increase political awareness and involvement among youth, especially youth from indigenous and other traditionally disadvantaged groups. Data on youth voting and other forms of political participation should be gathered to implement and monitor said initiative.

ISSUE 2: A growing number of youth are engaging in risky behaviors without fully understanding its consequences.

2007-01-08T04:42:00.000-08:00

[Barriers to Youth Empowerment and Well-being]

BACKGROUND ON ISSUE 2:
Increasing risky behaviors among youth

Philippines has 3.4 million drug dependents. More than half of this number belongs to the 15-27 age group. That means almost 2 million young people in this country are hooked on illegal substances—and this number continues to grow. (YAPS-NYC, 2004).
In 2002, YAFS, a comprehensive survey on Filipino youth and sex and risk behaviors revealed that (15 to 24 year-age group):

Twenty-three percent (23%) of young people engaged in pre-marital sex

Of this, 11.8 percent of 15-to-19-year olds was sexually active
This figure is significantly higher (40 percent) among 20-to-24-year-olds
Only 21 percent practiced contraception during their first premarital sexual intercourse
A third (34.8 percent) had sex with more than one partner
Four percent (4%) approve of abortion
Almost half of youth surveyed (41 percent) were currently drinking
Twenty-one percent (21%) was currently smoking
Twelve percent (12%) have, at one time or another, thought of committing suicide

This same study showed that situations or characteristics that contribute to such risk behaviors are: low educational attainment, being out of school, and being in unstable marital conditions (such as having been separated, widowed, or in a live-in marital arrangement).

Young women (15 to 24 yrs. old) contributed to 30 percent of total fertility rate (Ericta, 2003).

Media playing a bigger role in young lives

The new “surrogate parents,” the media is fast becoming the main source of information and guide to “what is right” and “what is wrong” by the youth.

Lack of basic health services and access to health facilities that are “youth-friendly.”

There remain very few services available that provide youth with reproductive health services. FP services are limited to those who are married.

SIKAP STAND ON ISSUE 2:

National budget allocation for health should be increased to accommodate the needs of local government hospitals.
Youth should be equipped with correct information and essential life skills that will help them make responsible decisions regarding their health and sexuality
Juvenile delinquents should be given legal and societal support to help them change the course of their lives.
“Youth friendly” facilities and personnel should be made available and accessible to youth. Local health care workers should be trained and sensitized to better understand youth health issues.
Reproductive health counseling and services (contraceptives) to both married and unmarried youth should be made available.
Responsible parenthood programs should be launched in all LGUs.
Campaigns and programs with media and SK should emphasize the value of family togetherness and encourage open communication between parents and children.
Digital technology should be available to OFWs and their families so that they could keep in touch.

ISSUE 3: Despite of free education, many Filipino youth, particularly those living in remote areas, do not have access to secondary education.

2007-01-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

[Barriers to Youth Empowerment and Well-being]

BACKGROUND ON ISSUE 3:
Lack of facilities and poor quality of education

According to the Youth Attributes, Participation, and Service-Providers (YAPS) study for 2004, there are more school facilities for elementary pupils than for high school, vocational, and college students. The number of schools may be insufficient to accommodate the majority of youth who are expected to still be in school.
In the 1999 Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMS) conducted among selected Asian countries, (Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines) the Philippines got the lowest average score in both Math and Science (cited in Herrin, 2003).

Low school completion rates

Out of 10 school-aged children, only nine enroll in first grade. Only four will finish high school. And only one will finish college.
14.7 percent of children and youth aged 6 to 24 were out of school. The lowest incidence of OSY was registered in Cagayan Valley (10.6%), while the highest OSY rate was found in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) at 23.1 percent (NSO 2002 as cited in _____).
Housekeeping, lack of personal interest, and the high cost of education were the top three reasons given by OSYs for not going to school (1994 FLEMMS).
There are noteworthy gender differentials when it comes to school completion rates. Among academic degree holders, there were more females (57.9%) than males (24.1%). The same is true for post baccalaureate courses where females outnumbered males (58.2% versus 41.7 %).

SIKAP STAND ON ISSUE 3:

The education sector must continue to receive the highest budgetary allocation and must pursue the mandate to provide education for all, especially the poor (equity and access).
The development of secondary schools should be a priority to match the number of enrollees.
Attention must also be directed to educational quality and relevance to help Filipino youth become globally competitive and land decent jobs. This includes innovation and curriculum review.
There is a need to encourage non-formal, informal and indigenous learning systems among out-of-school youth.
Attractive wages and career development opportunities should be instituted to attract the best and brightest persons to the teaching profession.

ISSUE 4: There is scarcity of local employment opportunities for young workers.

2007-01-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

[Barriers to Youth Empowerment and Well-being]

BACKGROUND ON ISSUE 4:
Increasing youth who are unemployed or underemployed

According to State of the Philippine Population Report 2003, working youth account for 20 percent of the total number of employed persons. On the other hand, 1.48 million or nearly half (47%) of the 3.13 million unemployed persons in the country in 2002 were youths – indicating the lack of job opportunities for the young entrants to the labor force.

Labor force participation of women (38%) was significantly lower than that of young men (58.7%).

Unemployment rates among the young were higher in urban areas than in rural areas.

Few agricultural training programs despite the large number of unemployed youth from rural areas. Need for agricultural skills, and entrepreneurship to stimulate job creation

Increased participation of the youth in the overseas work especially young females.

A significant number of OFWs belong to the 25-29-year bracket.
Youth accounted for 12 percent of overseas workers with females constituting the majority (70% in 2001).
There were more than 6,000 overseas workers in the teenage group, four out of five being females, and mostly originating from Mindanao.

Lack of protection and lack of access to social security

Young workers have experienced discrimination in terms of lower incomes, poor access to social security, temporary employment, lack of security of tenure, and subcontracting inadequate information about workers’ rights and hazardous working conditions

Young people being paid less than their adult counterparts for the same amount of work

Poor bargaining power of the youth and limited protection by unions

Work in hazardous occupations

Exploitation of young workers by employers, especially the abuse of female OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers)
Child labor remains
Young migrants often fill jobs at the lowest end of the labor market or jobs that nationals are not willing to do
Given the nature of their work in the private domain, and away from the public eye, young domestic workers are especially vulnerable to exploitation
Healthcare workers represent an irreplaceable loss in human resources to already weakened health systems in the country

SIKAP STAND ON ISSUE 4:

Need for continuing investments in human capital (health, nutrition and basic education), livelihood opportunities, and social services for Filipino youth
Need for improved enforcement of labor standards and laws
Training courses in agricultural skills and entrepreneurship for rural youth provided. This includes flexibility in the school calendar to fit in with agricultural lifestyles – to help rural youth combine education and employment more easily.
Youth training and employment program should be established for traditionally disadvantaged groups: women, differently-abled, OSY, rural and indigenous youth.
Education and training institutions should better plan to match the demand and supply for labor. There is also a need for increased involvement from the private sector in vocational education and technical skills training.

SIKAP National Executive Council

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National Executive Council (NEC) - is the highest governing body of the organization and primarily responsible for setting the policies as well as monitor implementation of the policies. Toward this end, the NEC shall perform the following duties and functions:

(a) To represent SIKAP before third parties, through its President or such other officers as maybe authorized and enter into any contract or agreement for and in behalf of SIKAP;
(b) To approve or modify rules and regulations governing operations of SIKAP including rules and regulations for admission of members, conduct of officers and members, among others;
(c) To approve plans, programs and corresponding budget for the ensuing fiscal year;
(d) To borrow or invest funds necessary for financing programs and projects of the organization;
(e) To acquire or hold any personal and/or real property or any interest therein;
(f) To propose any amendment to the Constitution and By-laws of the organization;
(g) To review any action taken and approve actions of any committees it created; and
(h) In general, to do any and all things that it may deem to be in the best interest of SIKAP party list.

There shall be three types of membership in the NEC, namely: (a) Elected officials – those officials elected by the National Congress; (b) Appointed Officials – those officials appointed by the President; and (c) Ex-officio members – Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director of the Party List

Elected officials include: President, Executive Vice-President, Secretary-general, Deputy Secretary-general, and Party Spokesperson.

Each geographic division shall also elect their respective Vice-Presidents who shall also become regular members in the National Executive Council. The Committee on Rules, Protocol and Discipline shall draft additional rules to govern the election of area vice-presidents.

The Rules Committee shall come up with rules governing qualifications and disqualifications of officers, both elective and appointed, as well as processes in selecting the said officers.

SIKAP National Congress

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National Congress (NC) - a political body composed of representatives of the voting members nationwide. Its major tasks include: (1) to elect certain officials of the National Executive Council, and (2) to approve amendments or revisions to constitution and by laws of the SIKAP Party List.

The representatives to National Congress are called delegates. A total number of fifty (50) delegates shall be selected from among the voting members throughout the country. The selection of delegates shall be based on geographic divisions and proportional representation. The delegates shall serve for a term of one (1) year and no delegate shall be allowed to serve more than three continuous years.

Area vice-presidents shall call for nominations of new delegates. However, all nominations shall be received by Recruitment and Membership Committee for verification and processing. The said Committee shall declare qualified nominees and sends back the list of qualified nominees to respective vice-presidents. Every March of each year, the respective vice-presidents shall conduct the election of delegates and shall report to the NEC the elected delegates from their respective areas of jurisdiction.

Prior to call of nominations to elections of delegates, the vice-presidents shall furnish the Recruitment and Membership Committee a list of all the voting members in good standing. The Membership Committee after examining each entry in the list shall do the computation and shall certify the number of delegates each geographic area shall elect. The Membership Committee shall coordinate with Rules, Protocol and Discipline Committee for supplementary rules such as qualifications and disqualifications to become delegates.

SIKAP Platform of Government

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GENERAL PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT

With an overarching concern for the welfare of the youth, Sigaw ng Kabataang Pinoy (SIKAP) envisions a society which values and educate the Filipino Youth, and empowers them to become partners in nation-building.

SIKAP aims to contribute to better quality of life where young people are capable of making dignified and informed choices, have passion to pursue personal goals, able to build and make known their voices, and become partners in nation-building. To attain this goal, SIKAP adopts the following as its general program of action:

(1) To develop and advance a democratic, country-wide and mass-based representation of the youth sector of the Philippines regardless of sex, age, social orientation, creed, ethnicity, religious belief, class, status, and political affiliation for the promotion of a healthy, well-informed, empowered and responsible young Filipinos;

(2) To create and formulate national framework that puts high premium on education, and facilitate implementation of effective programs for an enhanced service delivery to address the concerns and vulnerabilities faced by young Filipinos;

(3) To encourage youth participation in all stages of policy making processes, and youth-related programs towards the goal of providing quality education, equal employment opportunities, free from bias and undiscriminating environment, and protection and popularization of relevant rights;

(4) To uphold and defend the people’s basic human rights and freedoms especially those guaranteed by international covenants, such as the Convention for the Rights of the Child, and other national policies and statutes;

(5) To coordinate with various in-line agencies, organizations and institutions to develop an integrated national youth policy in order to address the challenges facing the youth, to utilize available resources and expertise for the development of youth, and to introduce measures to promote the legacy of youth empowerment;

(6) To develop, promote and encourage active participation of the youth
in the socio-cultural, economic and political order of the State, and to initiate and encourage positive and constructive participation in matters
affecting the all the sphere of youth’s social life;

(7) To establish a self-sustaining leadership academy that will provide knowledge, skills and orientation to Filipino youth leaders and ensure the
effectiveness and sustainability of the programs and activities of the said
academy through the initiatives of partnership and networking;

(8) To initiate advocacy programs and propose legislative measures for the welfare, advancement, empowerment, education and development
of Filipino Youth;

(9) To promote a national culture of love of the country and patriotism and build among the young people positive values that recognize the thrust of globalization rooted in the appreciation of historical and cultural heritage; and

(10) To support programs that remove all forms of gender discrimination and stereotypes and promote full involvement of young women in all fields of endeavor

These will serve as the general direction of the party that takes into prime consideration the promotion of the integrity, welfare, education and rights of the Pinoy youth in the context of societal advancement, and democratic and republican national development.

PARTY-LIST SYSTEM ACT

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REPUBLIC ACT No. 7941

AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE ELECTION OF PARTY-LIST REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH THE PARTY-LIST SYSTEM, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

Visit link here or download PDF file here.

SIGAW ng KABATAANG PINOY

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SIKAP stands for Sigaw nga Kabataang Pinoy or Voice of the Filipino Youth. It is a Partylist running for a seat in the Philippine Congress on May 2007 Philippine National Elections.

Ngayong May 2007, iluklok po natin sa kongreso ang BOSES ng kabataang Pinoy!

SIKAP, ang Sigaw ng Kabataang Pinoy!

Isinisigaw po namin ang pagkakaroon ng
kakayahang magdesisyon ng marangal ang lahat ng Kabataang Pinoy.

Isinisigaw po namin ang pagkakaroon ng
kakayahang maisulong ang mga layunin at ninanais ng mga Kabataang Pinoy.

Isinisigaw po namin ang pagkakaroon ng
kakayahang maisiwalat at maibigkas ang mga boses ng Kabataang Pinoy.

Sa pagsisikap,
Sa pamamagitan,
Sa pakikibaka,
Sa pagsasabuhay, at
Sa pakikipagsapalaran ng
SIKAP

ang Kabataang Pinoy ay magging katuwang sa pagbubuo ng ating bansa.