One of the authors of the new law strengthening the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) believes that the reforms that will be introduced by Republic Act (RA) 11768 will encourage youth participation in barangay affairs, one of the primary objectives behind the established law of the SK.
According to Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy V, providing SK members with honoraria “should allow SK members to better focus on their SK work, particularly the planning and programming of youth projects in the country’s over 42,000 barangays.”
The House Local Government Committee Vice Chair urged SKs to focus on programs that would support government efforts to address environmental issues.
Dy, who began his career in public service at the barangay level and was later elected President of the Liga ng Barangays, said that SKs around the country, “should now be in a better position to show the full potential of youth leadership in our barangays.”
“Naniniwala ako na ang SK ay hindi pang-liga-liga lang, and I believe our youth are capable of so much more. These reforms should help them level up––to spearhead projects that will have a positive impact in their respective communities.”
The House Local Government Committee Vice-Chair urged SKs to focus on programs that would support government efforts to address environmental issues.
“Not everyone can be Greta Thunberg,” explained Dy, referring to the young climate change activist from Sweden.
“But all of us can do something within our sphere of influence to protect the environment. It starts with our communities––with our barangays––and our youth, as the generation that will inherit the planet, should lead the charge to protect it.”
President Rodrigo Duterte on May 6 signed RA 11768, which provides SK members, including the treasurer and secretary, with monthly honoraria, chargeable against the SK funds, in addition to any other compensation provided by RA 11768.
The new law also mandates the appointment of SK secretary and treasurer, the latter preferably with an educational or career background relating to business administration, accountancy, finance, economics, or bookkeeping.
The monthly allowances will be granted at the end of every regular monthly SK meeting. The honorarium, based on RA 11768, should not exceed the monthly compensation received by the SK chairperson.
The new law also mandates the appointment of an SK secretary and treasurer, the latter preferably with an educational or career background relating to business administration, accountancy, finance, economics, or bookkeeping. The appointed SK treasurer is mandated to undergo bookkeeping training from, and be duly certified by, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) before assuming office.
Aside from these benefits, SK officials will now be entitled to the appropriate civil service eligibility based on the years of service to their barangays.
