Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 11768)
Republic Act No. 11768 aims to strengthen the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), institutionalize additional reforms to revitalize youth participation in local governance, and provide honorarium, other benefits, and privileges to SK officials, amending certain sections of RA No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015.
The Sangguniang Kabataan must formulate the three-year rolling Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan within three (3) months from their assumption to office.
An SK official must be at least eighteen (18) years but not more than twenty-four (24) years of age on election day. The SK treasurer and secretary must be at least eighteen (18) years but not more than thirty (30) years of age on the day of appointment.
An SK official must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official in the locality where they seek to be elected or appointed.
The SK shall formulate the Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan; hold fund-raising activities aligned with the plan; formulate internal rules and procedures within 60 days of assumption; appoint a secretary and treasurer; set schedules for meetings; and exercise other powers as may be prescribed by law, ordinance, or delegated by the barangay or the Commission.
SK officials in good standing are exempt from the National Service Training Program (NSTP), excused from classes during SK meetings, provided with PhilHealth coverage, receive monthly honorariums within prescribed limits, and are entitled to appropriate civil service eligibility based on service years.
The monthly honorarium for SK members shall not exceed the monthly compensation of the SK chairperson, shall be charged against SK funds, and personnel services allocation shall not exceed 25% of SK funds. The DBM issues guidelines, and COA has post-audit jurisdiction over these honorariums.
If the SK chairperson position is vacated due to refusal, resignation, death, incapacitation, or removal, the SK member who got the highest votes assumes the position. If that member refuses or disqualifies, the next highest vote-getter assumes it. If not covered by these reasons, the barangay mayor appoints an OIC from nominees submitted by SK members.
Ten percent (10%) of the general funds of the barangay shall be set aside as the Sangguniang Kabataan funds, which are used exclusively for youth development and empowerment.
Priority programs include educational assistance like stipends and allowances to reduce out-of-school youth, sports and wellness projects to address health issues, skills training and livelihood assistance, youth participation in agriculture and environment, climate action, capacity-building on leadership and values education, and programs addressing vulnerabilities of youth.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Commission on Elections (COMELEC), National Youth Commission (NYC), and other concerned government agencies are mandated to promulgate the implementing rules and regulations within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of the Act.
The Pederasyon drafts the Local Youth Development Plan, convenes quarterly with the Local Youth Development Council to ensure implementation and alignment of youth development programs, cascades information and facilitates knowledge transfer to localities, and elects representatives to the Advisory Council of the National Youth Commission.
The SK treasurer must be at least eighteen (18) but not more than thirty (30) years old at appointment, ideally with an educational or career background in business administration, accountancy, finance, economics, or bookkeeping, and must undergo mandatory bookkeeping training and certification by TESDA before assuming office.
Yes, SK officials are entitled to appropriate civil service eligibility based on their years of service to the barangay pursuant to rules promulgated by the Civil Service Commission.
The SK may set aside funds for mandatory and continuing training of SK officials, but the total appropriation for training shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the SK fund.