29/05/2021
Pasado sa Senado! The Senate has approved on third and final reading the proposed amendments to Republic Act 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act of 2015, which seeks to revitalize youth participation in governance. Here are its highlights:
1. Monthly honoraria for SK members, secretaries, and treasurers
β’ At present only SK chairpersons are entitled to honoraria
β’ LGUs may provide additional honorarium, as well as social welfare contributions and hazard pay to the SKs through their own local ordinance.
2. Bulk of SK funds shall go to programs and projects that will benefit the youth
β’ student stipends
β’ book & education allowances
β’ sports & wellness projects
β’ skills training
β’ OJT assistance
β’ cash-for-work
β’ livelihood assistance
β’ environment conservation
β’ calamity preparedness
β’ capacity-building for grassroots organization and leadership, values education
β’ programs and activities that address context-specific and intersectional vulnerabilities of young people
3. Additional privileges for SK officials
β’ Civil Service Eligibility after a full term of office
β’ Exemption from taking any of the components of the National Service Training Program (NSTP 1 and 2)
4. SK treasurers are required to have an educational or career background in business administration, accountancy, finance, economics or bookkeeping and must be a bonded officer
β’ Age requirement: 18 to 30 years old
β’ Mandatory bookkeeping training from TESDA
5. Mandatory membership of SK Federations in the National Advisory Council (NAC) and National Youth Commission (NYC)