Bill strengthening, providing benefits to SK approved at House

A bill aiming to strengthen the Sangguniang Kabataan and to provide additional benefits for its officials was approved on final reading at the House of Representatives.

Voting 201-0, House Bill 10698 was approved by the chamber during the session on Monday. It aims to institutionalize additional reforms in order to revitalize youth participation in local governance.

The measure also seeks to provide honorarium and other benefits to the SK officials.

The bill stated that SK officials, during their incumbency, will receive honoraria, allowances, and other emoluments as may be authorized by law or by an ordinance but in no case that it will be less than 50% of the benefits granted to members of the Sangguniang Barangay.

Further, SK officials can also be exempt from paying tuition and matriculation fees while enrolled in a public tertiary school as well as exemption from any components of the National Service Training Program-Civic Welfare Training Service, the measure said.

The bill also mandates the allocation of the SK funds in an annual budget.

According to the measure, the SK's projects shall be aligned with the Philippine Youth Development Plan such as skills training, summer employment, sports programs, projects that will put the youth in the frontlines of environmental protection, capacity-building for grassroot education, leadership, and values education.

Kabataan party-list Representative Sarah Elago said the approval of the bill is a big step towards building the capacity of SKs to be truly independent in the performance of their duties.

"We hope that this bill paves the way for more steps for ensuring youth's critical and meaningful participation and empowerment as well as better implementation of the SK Reform Act, particularly on fiscal autonomy, access on PhilHealth coverage, NSTP exemption, and educational scholarships," she said.—AOL, GMA News