QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 11768)
RA 11768 strengthens the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and revitalizes youth participation in local governance by institutionalizing reforms, including honorarium and other benefits. It amends Republic Act No. 10742 (the “Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015”).
In consultation and with the concurrence of the Katipunan ng Kabataan, the SK must formulate a three (3)-year rolling plan called the Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan within three (3) months, which serves as the basis for the Annual Barangay Youth Investment Program.
It must be aligned with the Philippine Youth Development Plan (PYDP) and other Local Youth Development Plans at relevant levels (barangay, municipal, city, and provincial).
The SK may hold fund-raising activities aligned with the Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan; the proceeds shall be tax-exempt and accrue to the general fund of the SK, with the specific purpose satisfied first in appropriation, and disbursement must follow existing budget, accounting, and auditing rules (e.g., DBM and COA rules).
Within sixty (60) days from assumption to office, the SK must: (1) formulate and approve its internal rules and procedures; (2) appoint its secretary and treasurer; and (3) set the schedule of regular SK meetings and Katipunan ng Kabataan assemblies.
The SK must consult and obtain concurrence of the Katipunan ng Kabataan.
They must be at least 18 but not more than 24 years old on the day of the elections, and must be residents of the barangay for not less than one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the elections.
The person must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected regional/provincial/city/municipal/barangay official in the locality; must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude; and must be able to read and write Filipino, English, or the local dialect.
They must be at least 18 but not more than 30 years old on the day of the appointment.
The SK chairperson shall appoint a treasurer with an educational or career background relating to business administration, accountancy, finance, economics, or bookkeeping; only if no person meets the requirements may the chairperson consider other suitable nominees.
Appointed SK treasurers must undergo mandatory bookkeeping training from and be duly certified by TESDA before assumption to office.
Appointed SK treasurers shall be prioritized in the allocation of the appropriate TESDA scholarships.
SK members (including treasurer and secretary) receive a monthly honorarium chargeable against SK funds, granted at the end of every regular monthly SK meeting, but the monthly honorarium shall not exceed the monthly compensation of their SK chairperson.
Not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the Sangguniang Kabataan funds shall be allocated for personnel services, and DBM must issue implementing guidelines.
They must be excused while attending regular or special SK meetings/sessions (as applicable), with attendance certification issued by the SK secretary (attested as specified) and noted by the Punong Barangay; false certification subjects the person to criminal and administrative liability.
If the SK chairperson refuses to assume, fails to qualify, resigns, dies, is permanently incapacitated, or is removed, the SK member with the highest votes in the preceding election assumes for the unexpired portion; if that member refuses/fails to qualify, the member with the next highest votes assumes. If the vacancy reason is not within those conditions, the mayor appoints an OIC from at least three (3) nominees submitted by SK members, and the OIC must meet Section 10 qualifications.
All income of the barangay accrues to its general fund (optionally kept as trust fund or deposited in a bank, preferably government-owned). Ten percent (10%) of the general funds of the barangay must be set aside for SK funds.
The SK Annual Barangay Investment Program should prioritize programs aligned with PYDP thrusts such as health, education, environment, global mobility, active citizenship, governance, social equity and inclusion, peace-building and security, human rights, gender equality, and economic empowerment; examples include student stipends and assistance to reduce out-of-school youth/dropouts; sports and wellness projects; skills training and livelihood assistance; youth participation in agri/fishery/forestry enterprises; climate action and disaster-related activities; leadership capacity-building and values education; and programs addressing intersectional vulnerabilities.
Total amount appropriated for training shall not be more than fifteen percent (15%) of the SK fund.