President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signed a law expanding the functions of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) to revitalize the youth participation in local governance.

Republic Act (RA) 11768, inked by Duterte on May 6, directs the formulation of internal rules and procedures within 60 days from the assumption of SK officials to office.

The new law also mandates the appointment of SK secretary and treasurer, as well as the holding of regular SK meetings and Katipunan ng Kabataan assemblies.

The SK members, including the treasurer and secretary, will receive a monthly honorarium, chargeable against the SK funds, in addition to any other compensation provided by RA 11768.

The monthly honorarium will be granted at the end of every regular monthly SK meeting.

The honorarium, based on RA 11768, will not exceed the monthly compensation received by the SK chairperson.

“Not more than 25 percent of the Sangguniang Kabataan funds shall be allocated for personal services,” the law read. “The local government units (LGUs) may provide additional honorarium as well as social welfare contributions and hazard pay to the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson and the elected and appointed members through their own local ordinances.”

All SK officials are entitled to the appropriate civil service eligibility based on the years of service to the village pursuant to the rules.

Under RA 11768, the SK treasurer and secretary must be at least 18 years but not more than 30 years old of age on the day of the appointment.

The SK chairperson is designated to appoint a treasurer with an educational or career background relating to business administration, accountancy, finance, economics, or bookkeeping.

The appointed SK treasurer is mandated to undergo bookkeeping training from, and be duly certified by, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) before assumption to office.

The appointed treasurer of the SK will also be prioritized in the allocation of the appropriate TESDA scholarships.

The amounts necessary to carry out the implementation of RA 11768 will be charged against the SK funds or as may be authorized by the LGUs.

The Palace released a copy of RA 11768 on Tuesday.PNA