LEGAZPI CITY — Representative Joey Salceda (2nd District, Albay) has introduced a joint resolution in Congress, which urgently seeks the grant of honorarium to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) treasurers and secretaries.
“Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons newly elected under Republic Act 10742 are facing serious difficulty in finding and convincing eligible youth to accept the positions of Sangguniang Kabataan treasurer and secretary from among the Sangguniang Kabataan Kagawads or Katipunan ng mga Kabatan (KK),” Salceda said on Tuesday.
“These two positions are critical in the effective and efficient operations and the good governance of the SK and are loaded with responsibilities and liabilities,” he added.
Salceda explained that he filed a joint resolution seeking for honorarium for the two SK posts, knowing that those holding these, function and contribute to the performance of the SK. “There is a need to provide a reasonable and proportional honorarium for the service rendered,” he pointed out.
“Ages 18-24 for secretary and treasurer is not in the law… it’s in the IRR which is not a law. The law stipulates qualification for secretary and treasurer must be 15-30 years old and KK member. The IRR provision is a substantial amendment. An IRR cannot amend the law. So the ‘whereas’ can stand since a joint resolution has the stature of a law,” Salceda explained.
Under Joint Resolution No. 23, the honorarium for SK Treasurer and SK Secretary must be charged to the regular funds of the barangays since the 10 percent Sangguniang Kabataan funds are in the nature of development fund.
Salceda said that the honorarium of SK Treasurer and SK Secretary must be set at 60 percent of the honorarium of the SK Chairman.
Recently, Salceda also filed House Bill No. 7719, which seeks to extend barangay officials’ eligibility up to the SK kagawads or councilmen. (Connie Calipay/PNA)
