Senate bill seeks to lower SK eligibility age to 15

Marywin Julito

Fifteen-year-olds could qualify to run for positions in the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) under Senate Bill No. 2510, which seeks to lower the age requirement for SK officials from 18 to 15 following its filing on September 29.

Senator Vicente C. Sotto III filed the bill, which proposes setting the age requirement for elected and appointed SK officials “at least 15 years but not more than 21 years of age” on election day.

The proposal seeks to amend Section 10 of Republic Act No. 10742, or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, which currently sets the age qualification at 18 to 24 years old.

Sotto said in the bill’s explanatory note that the SK should serve as a platform for youth representation and participation in local governance.

“Kailangan nating ibalik muli ang Sangguniang Kabataan sa ating kabataan,” Sotto said.

He said young people serve as the voice and representation of the youth in the governance system, particularly at the local level.

Youth governance

The bill would also require SK officials to formulate a three-year rolling plan known as the Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan within three months of assuming office.

The plan would guide the preparation of the Annual Barangay Youth Investment Program and focus on youth-oriented programs covering advocacy and campaigns, information and education, sports and physical development, welfare and support systems, and other programs for the youth. 

The bill also identifies good governance, climate change adaptation, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, health services, drug abuse prevention, gender sensitivity, sports development, accessible education, sustainable development, human rights, and social protection as priority areas.

Spending safeguards

The proposal would prohibit the SK from participating in the procurement of hard infrastructure projects, and high-value properties when their cost exceeds 25% of its annual budget.

The bill would also require purchases of goods  to be included in the SK development plan, while purchases not covered by the plan would require a notarized written justification.

The bill further requires appointed SK treasurers to undergo bookkeeping training and obtain certification from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority before assuming office.