SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday reiterated his proposal to create a national federation for the Sangguniang Kabataan to empower youth participation in governance.

By creating a national SK organization, Gatchalian aims to promote a more efficient and effective networking and consensus-building, especially when it comes to addressing governance issues and implementing projects.

The senator filed Senate Bill 1058, which seeks to amend Section 21 of the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015 as no national organization for the SK was established to strengthen its vital role in nation building.

Under the measure, the Nasyonal na Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan will be organized and shall be composed of the elected presidents of the Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan.

The bill also provides that the elected president of the Nasyonal na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan shall serve as ex officio member of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines.

In the provinces, the Panlalawigang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan is composed of convenors of the Pambayan and Panlungsod na Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan.

The Pambayang Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan is composed of the SK chairpersons of villages in municipalities and cities.

“Sa pamamagitan ng SK, nabibigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang ating mga kabataan na maging bahagi ng pamamalakad ng ating mga komunidad. Ngunit maaari pa nating mapalawak ang kanilang ambag sa lipunan. Kaya naman isinusulong nating lumikha ng pambansang pederasyon para mapaigting natin ang kakayahan ng SK na maging bahagi ng pamumuno ng ating bansa,” Gatchalian said.