Youth Governance in the Selected Barangays of Baguio City

Abstract

The youth are expected to participate in nation-building and youth development programs not just in sports but also in various sectors of society enumerated in the United Nations Agenda 2030 and the Philippine Youth Development Plan. The Philippines have the Sangguniang Kabataan as a venue for the youth to participate in governance and is guided by the Sangguniang Kabataan reform act of 2015. The research focused on studying the youth governance of selected barangays of Baguio City. The study utilized a descriptive qualitative approach, using key participant interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis in data gathering and using thematic analysis. Results show that the Sangguniang Kabataan conducts youth profiling to identify the needs of the youth. Starting from there, they create projects and programs, many under active citizenship. The Sangguniang Kabataan employ different strategies in formulating and implementing projects and programs, such as organizational partnerships, employing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, and having adaptability, resourcefulness, and commitment to serving and empowering the youth. Despite having great strategies, there is still a problem in gaining youth participation due to more availability of other Sangguniang Kabataan leaders, inactive youth participation, challenge on budget, and lack of facilities and training. Several programs were designed by the researchers to address the challenges that transpired during the study, and these were: semestral general assembly, capacity building for Sangguniang Kabataan leaders and Katipunan ng Kabataan members, and the creation of a youth center.