THE NATIONAL Anti-Poverty Commission Youth and Students Sectoral Council has voiced strong opposition to proposed legislation that seeks to extend the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials.

Senate Bill 2816 and House Bill 1187 aim to lengthen the three-year terms of these officials to six years and delay the 2025 elections until May 2029.

The NAPC disclosed that YSSC Sectoral Representative Ninian Sumadia and Vice Chairperson for the Basic Sectors Ruperto Aleroza urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to veto both bills if they pass Congress.

They emphasized that regular elections are crucial for maintaining government accountability and responsiveness.

“The Filipino people deserve accountable, responsive leadership through regular elections, and it is essential that we prioritize reforms that empower local officials to perform their duties effectively within their existing terms,” the council stated in its position paper.

The NAPC YSSC argued that extending terms does not address the core challenges of local governance or improve public service delivery.

Instead, they warned that such measures could erode democratic principles by reducing the frequency of free and fair elections.

The council also stressed that term extensions are not a guarantee of better governance.

They believe that adequate government support is the key to ensuring that barangay and SK officials can fulfill their responsibilities efficiently.

Additionally, the council pointed to the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling that the postponement of the 2022 barangay and SK elections was unconstitutional.

They called for stronger institutional support to help barangay and SK officials manage their growing responsibilities rather than relying on extended terms.