Katipunan Ng Kabataan - Historical Highlights

Historical Highlights

The Kabataang Barangay was created on April 15, 1975 by virtue of Presidential Decree 684. The decree provided for the organization of KB units in the 42,000 barangays all over the country with the purpose of giving the youth a definite role in community affairs and "ample opportunities to express their views that a complete cross-section of the will of the populace could be determined, thereby providing them a more democratic and popular basis for the legislation and/or other governmental operations."

The decree also provided KB membership to all Filipinos eighteen (18) years of age and below. However, under this Decree, only the 15-18 duly registered members of the barangay compose the KB assembly, which elects the KB Council composed of one (1) Chairman and six (6) councilmen. The Chairman automatically becomes an ex-officio member of the adult barangay and acts as the Chairman of the Barangay Committee on Sports and Recreation.

First National KB Elections On May 1, 1975, the First National KB Elections was held. Elected were council members of 42,000 KB units and presidents of 1,482 Municipal KB Federations, 60 KB City Federations, 75 KB Provincial Federations, 13 Regional KB Presidents and one (1) National KB Federation.

First National KB Congress On May 10-1, 1976, the 1st National KB Congress was held at the KB Training Center, Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna. It was during this Congress that the KB Constitution was initially drafted.

First KB Constitutional Convention

The KB Constitution was finally framed during the 1st-KB Constitutional Convention held on February 28, 1977 in Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna and was subsequently ratified by the mass members nationwide on July 28 that same year.

In the same forum, KB leaders agitated for the expansion of KB membership to include youth who are 21 years of age and below. Presidential Decree 1102

In response to the wide clamor of KB leaders for the expansion of KB membership, Presidential Decree 1102 was passed on February 28, 1977 integrating all youth 21 years of age and below into the Kabataang Barangay.

Presidential Decree 1191

Presidential Decree 1191, promulgated on September 1, 1977 transferred the supervision of KB affairs from the Department of Local Governments and Community Development to the Office of the President. The decree also provided the organization with corporate powers and total autonomy in the management of its fiscal and operational affairs as well as the definition of its policies and program priorities. Thus, PD 1191 came to be known as the KB Autonomy Decree.

2nd Youth Congress

During the Second National Youth Congress held on September 6, 1978, the KB National Executive Committee (KBNEC) was formally organized. The Committee, composedo of the 13 Regional Federation Presidents, is the highest administrative and central implementing body of the PKKB. It is headed by a chairman. Said chairmanship is rotated among the members not more thatn once every quarter.

Second KB National Elections

The Second KB National Elections was held in April 1980 where a new set of KB federation officers at all levels was elected. Unlike their predecessors, the new municipal, city and provincial KB federation presidents now enjoy the privileges of Presidential Appointees as youth sector representatives to their respective Sanggunians.

KB National Reorganization

On March 6–20, 1982, a national reorganization was conducted. This move was initiated by the KBNEC to fully activate KB federations for the effective implementation of priority programs.

3rd National Youth Congress

The 3rd National Youth Congress was held on June 2–7, 1982 at the Hiyas ng Bulakan Convention Center, Malolos, Bulacan. It is in this forum that the KB members reaffirmed their commitment to the organization and outlined their political and development programs for the next five years. In the same congress, amendments to the KB Constitution were proposed which were later on presented to the mass membership of the Kabataang Barangay for ratification through a National KB Plebiscite held on November 7–11, 1982. The ratification of the proposed amendments to the KB Constitution was officially proclaimed on February 4, 1983.

Batas Pambansa Blg. 337

Batas Pambansa Blg. 337, also known as the Local Government Code and approved by President Marcos on February 10, 1983, is the general law enacted by the Batasang Pambansa which guarantees and promotes autonomy of local governments. This is done through a system of decentralization giving local governments more responsibilities, powers and resources. The Code also reinforces the government's recognition of the Kabataang Barangay as an effective, reliable and imperative partner in nation building, thus institutionalizing the KB movement. The Code mandates that KB Officers be granted automatic representations to all Sangguniang levels up to the Batasang Pambansa. It also changed the term of Kabataang Barangay council officials from two (as provided earlier by PD 1191) to three years, unless sooner removed for cause or by resignation. Furthermore, it exempts them from tuition and matriculation fees during their incumbencies in any public secondary schools. The Local Government Code also provides that ten percent (10%) of the total general fund of the barangay be appropriated to the local KB unit and that the KB Council can raise funds without securing permit from the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development.

'About Kabataang Barangay

The KB Symbol consists of the old Filipino scripts (K) and (B) representing the first letters of the Movement's name. The scripts are put together within a circle to form a logo akin to a face with open eyes and open mouth signifying a youth whose mind and intellect are keenly aware of social needs and is fearless in the expression of his beliefs. Red is the color of the KB Logo signifying strength of spirit and courage that springs from a historical tradition of heroic struggles for national freedom. The KB Symbol denotes the ideal KB member - critical yet constructive in his socio-political involvements.

Objectives

As the nation's premier youth organization, the Kabataang Barangay aims to:

1. Promote total development of the youth in a manner consistent with the guiding philosophy of the New Republic.

2. Instill in the youth social commitment and good citizenship, and to assist them in creating a united youth front and concerted action to help government achieve the country's development goals.

3. Supplement efforts of government in training and preparing in-school and out-of-school youths for citizenship and community life and for gainful employment opportunities so that they can participate in the fruits of development.

4. Promote and conduct scientific inter-disciplinary and policy-oriented research, studies, training, scholarships, consultancy for the youth and help in the printing and publication of monthly youth endeavors.

5. Encourage and assist the young in promoting sports, social and cultural activities and in the organization of youth groups, associations and societies designed to promote the objectives of the Kabataang Barangay.