What are the duties and responsibilities of your Sangguniang Kabataan leaders?

The Sangguniang Kabataan is the country's barangay youth council aimed at developing and promoting programs and activities that cater to the youth’s needs.

The council is seen as a platform for emerging leaders to hone their skills in public service. 

In preparation for voting your Sangguniang Kabataan's next officers, here are some reminders on the powers and responsibilities you will entrust to the community’s next youth leaders.

According to the Local Government Code of the Philippines, there shall be in each barangay a Sangguniang Kabataan to be composed of a chairman, seven members, a secretary, and a treasurer.

A Sangguniang Kabataan official who, during his term of office, shall have passed the age of 21 years shall be allowed to serve the remaining portion of the term for which he was elected.

The Katipunan ng Kabataan shall be composed of residents in the barangay actually residing for at least six  months, who are 15 but not more than 21 years old, and who are duly registered in the list of the Sangguniang Kabataan or in the official barangay list in the custody of the Barangay secretary.

The Katipunan ng Kabataan shall meet at least once every three months, or at the call of the chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan or upon written petition of at least one-twentieth of its members, to decide on important issues affecting the youth of the barangay .

The Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson shall have the following duties:

• Call and preside over all meetings of the Katipunan ng Kabataan and the Sangguniang Kabataan
• Implement policies, programs, and projects within his jurisdiction in coordination with the Sangguniang Barangay
• Exercise general supervision over the affairs and activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan and the official conduct of its members, and such other officers of the Sangguniang Kabataan within his jurisdiction
• With the concurrence of the Sangguniang Kabataan, appoint from among the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan, the secretary and treasurer, and such other officers as may be deemed necessary
• Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance

The Sangguniang Kabataan Secretary shall:

• Keep all records of the Katipunan ng Kabataan and Sangguniang Kabataan
• Prepare and keep the minutes of all meetings of the Katipunan ng Kabataan and Sangguniang Kabataan
• Prepare all forms necessary for the conduct of registrations, elections, initiatives, referenda, or plebiscites, in coordination with the Barangay secretary and the Comelec
• Perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as the chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan may prescribe or direct

The Sangguniang Kabataan treasurer shall:

• Take custody of all Sangguniang Kabataan property and funds not otherwise deposited with the city or municipal treasurer
• Collect and receive contributions, monies, materials, and all other resources intended for the Sangguniang Kabataan and Katipunan ng Kabataan
• Disburse funds in accordance with an approved budget of the Sangguniang Kabataan
• Certify to the availability of funds whenever necessary
• Submit to the Sangguniang Kabataan and to the Sangguniang Barangay certified and detailed statements of actual income and expenditures at the end of every month
• Perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as the chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan may direct

—LDF, GMA Integrated News