PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11768 which seeks to strengthen the Sangguniang Kabataan by providing youth leaders more benefits and privileges.

The law, signed on May 6, amended certain provisions of the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015.

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

It also provides that SK members, including the treasurer and the secretary, shall receive a monthly honorarium, in addition to any other compensation that they are currently receiving.

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

However, it must not exceed the monthly compensation received by the SK chairperson or exceed the 25 percent of the SK funds.

“Not more than 25 percent of the Sangguniang Kabataan funds shall be allocated for personal services. The local government units 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,” the law read.

The law also exempts SK member from taking any components of the National Service Training Program and can be excused from attending their regular classes, if they go to school, while attending their regular or special SK meetings and sessions.

“A certification of attendance shall be issued by the Sangguniang Kabataan secretary attested by the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson and duly noted by the Punong Barangay and shall be submitted to the concerned faculty member and the dean of the educational institution as proof of attendance,” the law said.

SK members shall be provided with state-run Philippine Health Insurance coverage and entitled to the appropriate Civil Service Commission eligibility based on their years of service.

Upon assumption to office, SK members are tasked to create a three-year rolling plan called the Comprehensive Barangay Youth Development Plan.

Members are likewise allowed to hold fund-raising activities, which are in line with the development plan, the proceeds of which will be tax-exempt and accrue to the general fund of the SK.