THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ON YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN BARANGAY BATASAN HILLS, QUEZON CITY: AN ASSESSMENT
Keywords:
sangguniang kabataan, youth development, community engagement, program implementation, barangay batasan hills, leadership, youth participation, local governance, criminology, public policyAbstract
The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) plays a critical role in addressing the needs and concerns of the youth through programs focused on education, health, leadership, and skills development. It fosters collaboration among local government units, NGOs, schools, and community organizations to empower young individuals. Despite its significance, the SK faces several challenges, such as limited funding, lack of community support, poor inter-agency coordination, and low youth engagement. These limitations hinder its ability to implement youth development programs effectively. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the SK in promoting youth development in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City, and to propose strategies to enhance its impact. The study utilized a descriptive research design with purposive sampling to identify the respondents. Participants included forty (40) youth members actively involved in SK programs, five (5) SK council members, ten (10) parents or guardians, and five (5) barangay officials working closely with the SK. Data were gathered using a structured survey questionnaire. Prior to data collection, respondents were briefed on the study's purpose and how to properly complete the instrument. Completed questionnaires were then tallied, analyzed, and interpreted using statistical tools to determine the perceived effectiveness of the SK in youth development. The majority of respondents were aged 18–28, female, high school graduates, and had over 11 years of residency in the community. Based on the analysis, the aspect of Youth Participation received the highest effectiveness rating with a mean of 3.43 (“Very Effective”), followed closely by Sustainability (3.42, “Very Effective”) and Program Implementation (3.40, “Very Effective”). These results reflect a strong overall assessment of SK’s role in youth development in the barangay. The findings indicate that the Sangguniang Kabataan in Barangay Batasan Hills is perceived as very effective in engaging the youth and sustaining its development programs. However, challenges remain, particularly in funding, coordination, and consistent program delivery. The study recommends that the SK develop strategic plans to address these challenges, improve coordination with local stakeholders, and intensify efforts in youth mobilization. These improvements are expected to enhance the reach, quality, and sustainability of youth development initiatives in the barangay.