FORMER Senator Jose Victor ‘JV’ Ejercito urged the Sangguniang Kabataan to use a portion of their funds to procure Covid19 home care kits for the youth.

Ejercito said youth councils can initiate the procurement of Covid19 home care kits, which include vitamins, disinfectants, and medication, among others, for their fellow youth.

The former senator said the purchase of home care kits could be part of the programs of SK federations and councils in 2022.

“This can be done in the form of supplemental budget. Our SKs can also make use of their savings from their funds from previous years,” Ejercito said in a statement.

“Dahil sa restrictions, wala masyadong sports activities ngayon, walang paliga, walang barangay fiesta celebrations, walang interbarangay activities, walang lakbay-aral. Gamitin natin sa wasto ang SK funds para pangontra ng kabataan laban sa Covid19,” he added.

Under the 2022 General Appropriations Act, P19,180,825,000 was allotted for the SK.

Section 20 of Republic Act 10742 or the SK Law states that 10 percent of the barangay general fund shall be set aside for the SK which would be “disbursed solely for youth development and empowerment purposes.”

“Ngayong may surge ng Covid19 at may mga health breaks sa ating academic institutions, gamitin din natin ang pondo ng SK para sa home care kits ng kabataan,” Ejercito said.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte could issue an executive order to guide local government units in the immediate utilization of SK funds for Covid19 response.