The Senate and the House of Representatives have ratified the bicameral conference committee report on the bill that seeks to strengthen the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).
During their respective sessions on Wednesday, both chambers ratified the bicameral committee report on Senate Bill No. 2124 and House Bill No. 10698. Both measures seek to amend Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Reform Act of 2015.
Sen. Sonny Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Youth, said highlights of the report include the provision of funds for rights and gender equality programs.
The reconciled version of the bill also mandates every SK within 60 days of assumption into office to appoint an SK secretary and treasurer.
The bill also further requires the treasurer to have an education and career background relating to either business administration, accountancy, finance, economics or bookkeeping.
The bill also provides a monthly honorarium for all SK members, including the chairperson, kagawads and the appointed officials provided that it should not exceed 25 percent of the SK’s funds and shall not exceed the compensation receive by the SK chairperson.
“With these changes, Mr. President, we believe that we 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 said during his sponsorship of the bicameral report.
Sen. Joel Villanueva lauded the introduction of necessary amendments in the existing SK charter saying this would empower young leaders involved in governance.
Villanueva also thanked Angara for prioritizing SK officials in the allocation of scholarships and bookkeeping courses offered by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
He also lauded the Senate youth panel chair for “recognizing the role of the SK in nation-building by giving them opportunities to learn and gain relevant skills.”