MANILA, Philippines — The bill seeking to strengthen the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and provide its officials a monthly honorarium is awaiting the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte.
During their respective sessions on Wednesday, the Senate and House of Representatives ratified the bicameral conference committee report on Senate Bill No. 2124 and House Bill No.10698—two bills which seek to amend Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act of 2015.
Senator Sonny Angara, chairperson of the Senate committee on youth, said that the measure includes human rights and gender equality as among the values which SK programs should promote.
Angara said the measure also states that all SK members—including the chairperson, the kagawads and the appointed officials—receive a monthly honorarium, provided that it should not exceed 25 percent of SK’s funds and shall not exceed the compensation received by the SK chairperson.
As part of amendments to R.A. No. 10742, the measure also mandates every SK within 60 days of assumption into office, to appoint an SK secretary and treasurer.
Angara said the appointed SK treasurer, shall have an education and career background relating to either business administration, accountancy, finance, economics or bookkeeping.
“With these changes, we believe that we better empower our SK to fulfil the mandate of providing representation to our youth and acting as venues for young people to directly participate in the day-to-day affairs, as well as the long-term improvement of their communities,” Angara said.
Since the Senate and the House have ratified the measure, it will now be transmitted to Duterte’s office for his possible approval.
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