SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go on Friday commended President Rodrigo Duterte for signing the law that reforms the Sangguniang Kabataan by giving SK leaders monthly honoraria and other benefits.

Go said it is time that youth leaders be given incentives to boost their performance.

“Kinokomendahan ko po si Pangulong Duterte sa pagpirma n’ya ng bagong batas na layuning bigyan ng honoraria at iba pang benepisyo ang mga miyembro ng Sangguniang Kabataan,” said Go.

“It is through our barangays and SKs that government programs and services reach our people. Nararapat lamang po na bigyan natin ng insentibo ang mga indibidwal na gumagawa ng mga programang ito para sa gobyerno,” he added.

Under Republic Act 11768, which Go co-authored in the Senate, all members of the SK will be paid an honorarium each month. The money will be deducted from the SK funds.

The honorarium must be given at the conclusion of each SK meeting every month.

The law also states that 10 percent of the general fund of barangays must be allocated for their SK.

The funds, which will be used for youth development and empowerment programs, must be paid in lump-sum by the Sangguniang Barangay.

Through local ordinances, local government units may also award additional honorarium and other benefits to the SK chairperson, as well as elected and appointed members.

The honorarium will be subject to the post-audit jurisdiction of the Commission on Audit.

Other benefits that will be provided to SK members include civil service eligibility, exemptions from National Service Training Program and from normal lessons while attending regular or special meetings and PhilHealth coverage, among others.