Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) 2026: Elections, Eligibility, Funds, and Programs

The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) is the official youth government in every barangay in the Philippines. Under Republic Act 10742 (the SK Reform Act of 2015), every barangay has an SK composed of one SK Chairperson and seven SK Kagawads elected by registered youth aged 15 to 30. The SK runs its own 10% share of the barangay budget dedicated to youth programs, scholarships, sports, and community initiatives.

What is the Sangguniang Kabataan?

The Sangguniang Kabataan is the youth council that exists in every one of the 42,046 barangays in the Philippines. It was created to give young Filipinos a formal voice in local government and a dedicated budget for youth-led programs.

Each SK is composed of:

• One SK Chairperson — the head of the council, who also sits as an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Barangay (the regular barangay council)
• Seven SK Kagawads (Sangguniang Kabataan Members) — who, together with the Chairperson, make decisions for the SK
• One SK Secretary and one SK Treasurer — appointed from among the Kagawads or outside the council

Brief history and reform

The SK was originally established under the Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) as the Kabataang Barangay's successor, but its operation was suspended from 2013 to 2018 due to concerns about effectiveness, accountability, and political dynasties.

The suspension ended with the passage of Republic Act 10742, the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015. This law restructured the SK with new age requirements, anti-dynasty provisions, mandatory training for elected officials, and stricter financial oversight from the National Youth Commission (NYC).

The Katipunan ng Kabataan

The Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK)is the assembly of all registered youth members aged 15 to 30 in a barangay. Every qualified youth who has registered with COMELEC as an SK voter is automatically a member of their barangay's KK.

The KK serves two main functions:

• Electorate — votes for the SK Chairperson and SK Kagawads during the BSKE
• Deliberative body— can hold general assemblies, propose initiatives, and guide the SK's agenda

Qualifications

To vote in an SK election (RA 10742):

• Filipino citizen
• At least 15 but not more than 30 years old on election day
• Resident of the barangay for at least six (6) months prior to the election
• Registered as an SK voter with COMELEC
• Not otherwise disqualified by law (e.g., not convicted of a disqualifying crime)

To run for SK Chairperson or SK Kagawad:

• Filipino citizen
• Registered Katipunan ng Kabataan member in the barangay
• At least 18 but not more than 24 years old on election day (note: different from the voting age of 15 to 30)
• Able to read and write Filipino, English, or the local dialect
• Resident of the barangay for at least one year before the election
• Not related to any incumbent elective official within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity (an anti-dynasty provision specific to the SK)

Term and term limits

Under RA 12232 (signed August 13, 2025, upheld by the Supreme Court in November 2025), SK officials elected on November 2, 2026 will serve a four-year term — up from the previous three years.

Important distinction: SK officials are subject to a single-term limit, not the three-term limit that applies to barangay officials. An SK Chairperson or Kagawad cannot be immediately re-elected to the same position in the next BSKE. After sitting out one full term, they may run again, but most young officials will have aged out of the 18-to-24 eligibility window by then.

This single-term limit was preserved in RA 12232 and is designed to prevent the formation of youth dynasties and to ensure regular rotation of leadership among different cohorts of young residents.

Powers and duties of the SK

Under RA 10742 and RA 7160, the SK is empowered to:

• Initiate youth programs — sports, scholarships, cultural activities, environmental initiatives, anti-drug campaigns, leadership training
• Manage the SK fund— 10% of the barangay's National Tax Allotment, restricted to youth-related expenditures
• Participate in the Sangguniang Barangay — the SK Chairperson sits as an ex-officio member of the regular barangay council with voting rights on all matters
• Issue SK certifications for youth participation, training attendance, and program involvement
• Coordinate with the National Youth Commission (NYC) for national-level programs and funding opportunities
• Partner with schools, NGOs, and civic organizations on youth-focused initiatives

Certifications the SK can issue

The SK Chairperson can issue various certifications for youth residents:

• Certificate of SK Membership — for KK records and verification of youth status
• Certificate of Participation — for youth who join SK-organized activities, used for school portfolios, leadership training credits, and scholarships
• Youth Endorsement Letter — for scholarship applications or youth organization membership
• Certificate of Good Standing — for youth residents active in SK programs

To request any of these, visit the barangay hall during office hours and ask for the SK Chairperson or the assigned SK staff. Bring a valid ID and proof of residency in the barangay.

How to register as an SK voter

1. Visit the COMELEC Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in your city or municipality during the announced SK voter registration period (typically several months before the BSKE).
2. Bring a valid government-issued ID and proof of residency in the barangay for at least 6 months — utility bill, lease contract, or barangay certification.
3. Fill out the SK voter registration form (separate from the regular voter registration form).
4. Submit biometrics — photograph, fingerprints, and signature.
5. Wait for your registration to be approved — typically a few weeks. You can check your status at the same COMELEC OEO or through the COMELEC online precinct finder once available.

SK voter registration is not automatic. Even if you are already registered as a regular voter, you must specifically register as an SK voter to participate in SK elections.

The 10% SK fund

Under RA 10742, every barangay must allocate 10% of its National Tax Allotment (NTA) — formerly called the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) — to the SK for youth programs.

This fund is:

• Separate from the general barangay budget — it cannot be used for general barangay operations
• Restricted to youth-related expenditures — programs, projects, activities, training, and materials for residents aged 15 to 30
• Subject to oversight by the NYC and the Local Youth Development Officer (LYDO) of each city or municipality
• Reported through the Local Youth Development Plan (LYDP) — an annual plan submitted to the NYC

Related reading

• BSKE 2026: Complete Voter & Candidate Guide
• How to Check Your Voter Registration Status Before BSKE 2026
• Punong Barangay Term Limits (RA 12232 Explained)

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This guide is based on Republic Act 10742 (Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015) and Republic Act 12232 (term extension). Specific SK programs, fund usage, and election schedules are set by COMELEC and the National Youth Commission. Always verify the latest registration deadlines directly with your local COMELEC Office of the Election Officer.