The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here said some barangay candidates filed their certificates of candidacy for the Oct. 30 elections without Sangguniang Kabataan (SK or youth council) aspirants.

Although the 128 barangays here are swarming with candidates, it’s a different story for the SK category because 16 villages have zero candidates, according to an interview Monday with John Paul Martin, Comelec-Baguio election officer.

“The barangay election is well contested. There are even barangays with five candidates for captain and about 20 to 30 vying for seats village councilors,” Martin said. “We are wondering why there seems to be an increasing disinterest among the youth to run for an electoral position.”

In the 2018 polls, he said nine barangays did not have any SK candidates.

Comelec-Baguio started a voter education campaign for the youth in 2017 to educate them on the importance of the political system.

Martin also underscored the importance of the SK’s role in providing a platform for young people aged 15 to 30 to participate in governance and policymaking.

The amended SK Reform Law or Republic Act 11768 provides for the installation of SK chairpersons and councilors in case there is a vacancy or there are no elected officials.

Section 19 states in case of SK vacancy that is not because of refusal to assume office, failure to qualify, resignation, death, permanent incapacitation or removal from office, the mayor of the concerned village shall appoint an officer in charge from a list of at least three nominees submitted by SK members, subject to qualifications. (PNA)