Bill strengthening SK up for Duterte's signature

The measure seeking to strengthen and provide benefits for the Sangguniang Kabataan is now up for President Rodrigo Duterte's signature.

This as the Senate and the House of Representatives ratified on Wednesday the bicameral conference committee report on Senate Bill 2124 and House Bill 10698.

Senator Sonny Angara said the measure aims to "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 is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth.

Under the measure, all SK members — including the chairperson, the kagawads and the appointed officials — will receive a monthly honorarium, provided that it will not exceed 25% of the SK’s funds and shall not exceed the compensation received by the SK chairperson.

The Department of Budget and Management will craft the guidelines for this specific provision.

All SK officials are also exempted from taking any of the components of the National Service Training Program, the measure stated.

The measure also gives importance to human rights and gender equality as the ideals that should be promoted by the SK. — BAP, GMA News