City barangays reminded on SK roles

City officials recently reminded the barangay officials in the city’s 128 barangays on the roles of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson as an ex-officio member of the barangay council and equalizing the benefits of the same.

Under Resolution No. 324, series of 2024, local legislators stated that the SK federation office has received numerous complaints from the duly elected SK chairpersons in the city that they are being allegedly excluded from the barangay council and that they are not able to exercise their assigned duties and responsibilities with some being excluded from benefits and privileges that are being given to the SK barangay officials.

Further, there are even barangay officials who have been intrusive on the decisions of the SK officials regarding their Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plans, Annual Barangay Youth Investment Programs and the disbursement of their budgets which hinders their planned activities.

Pertinent provisions of Republic Act (RA) 10742 or the SK Reform Act of 2015 provided that the State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building and thus, promotes and protects their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social wellbeing, inculcates in them patriotism, nationalism and other desirable values, and encourages their involvement in public and civic affairs.

Moreover, all SK officials in good standing, whether elected or appointed, shall, during their incumbency be entitled to appropriate benefits and privileges where the SK chairperson shall have the same privileges enjoyed by other barangay officials under the law subject to such requirements and limitations provided and that the SK funds shall be governed by lawful provisions that stated that the SK shall have financial independence in its operations, disbursements and encashment of their funds, income and expenditures.

The SK funds shall be deposited in the name of the SK of the concerned barangay in a government-owned bank situated in or nearest to its area of jurisdiction with the SK chairperson and the SK treasurer as the official signatories.

The law also provided that all SK funds shall be allocated in an anal budget, and if the funds allow, in a supplemental budget in accordance with the adopted annual barangay investment program. Both the Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan and Annual Barangay Investment Program shall give priority to programs, projects and activities that will promote and ensure the equitable access to quality education, environmental protection, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and resilience, youth empowerment and livelihood, health and anti-drug abuse, gender sensitivity, sports development and capability building which emphasizes leadership training.

Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the Department of the Interior and Local Government–Cordillera Administrative Region and the city’s 128 barangays for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. – Dexter A. See