BAGUIO CITY – City officials recently pushed for the strengthening of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) representation in all city barangays through special elections by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and/or the appointment of SK chairpersons by the Department of the Interior and Local government (DILG).
Under Resolution No. 632, series of 2024, city legislators stated that there is a pressing need to address the vacancies of SK representatives to ensure that each barangay has a functional SK, which can be achieved through the conduct of special elections or, if necessary, through appointments facilitated by the DILG.
During the Scout Officials for A Day (SOFAD) session held on October 21, 2024, the SOFAD Council adopted the proposal of SOFAD Councilor Eitan Hunter D. Rivera that sought to strengthen the SK representation in all city barangays through special elections by the Comelec and/or the appointment of SK chairpersons by the DILG.
Section 387(a), Chapter 2 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 as amended provides that there shall be in each barangay, a punong barangay, seven Sangguniang Barangay members, a SK chairperson, a barangay secretary and a barangay treasurer.
Moreover, Section 2 of RA 10742 or the SK Reform Act of 2015 recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation building, promoting and protecting their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social wellbeing, while encouraging their involvement in public and civic affairs.
The body asserted that the SK is the governing body of the youth assembly in each barangay elected by members of the Katipunan ng Kabataan in elections conducted by the Comelec.
Section 7 of RA 10742 mandated the creation and election of the SK in every barangay, composed of a chairperson and seven members elected by the registered voters of the Katipunan ng Kabataan with the SK chairperson authorized to appoint a secretary and a treasure, with the concurrence of the majority of the SK members.
During the October 2023 barangay and SK elections, many city barangays were left without elected or complete SK chairpersons and officers resulting in a gap in youth representation and leadership.
Copies of the approved resolution will be transmitted to the Comelec and DILG for information, guidance, ready reference and further needed action. By Dexter A. See
