‘Budget red tape, a problem’ — SK Chair on executing projects 

EXCESSIVE and strict regulations on acquiring funds are counterproductive for executing projects both in student councils and in local politics, a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman said on March 4. 

SK Chairperson John Matthew Enriquez of Barangay 322 said more time is wasted waiting for funds rather than executing projects for the community. 

“I get it naman na measure nila ito para siguraduhin na may accountability, may transparency, and of course, nagagamit sa tama ‘yung mga funds; however, I think it is somehow counterproductive,” Enriquez, who is also the outgoing Vice President of Artlets’ Student Council (ABSC) at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), said.  

Meanwhile, Kyla Ranchez, SK Chairperson of Barangay 492, compared that paperwork on programs that do not need finances is “not as strict and extensive” as those that require it.  

“Naging challenging lang [ang] paper processing considering na financial siya, pero ‘yung paggawa ng projects, free form siya, not as restrictive compared sa nature ng student councils,” Ranchez said. 

According to the Republic Act 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, the age requirement to be an SK official should be “at least 18 but not more than 24 years of age on the day of the elections.” 

The act also states that the SK council is entitled to 10 percent of the barangay’s budget, which means that if the barangay’s budget is inadequate, the SK’s budget is directly affected. 

Ranchez, who also sits as ABSC’s Director for Policy Affairs, added that the lack of funding in the SK council forces them to be “resourceful” by “asking for support” from elected officials with positions higher than them. 

“Sa percentage pa lang ng funds ng SK, alam mong limitado lang talaga magagawa ng SK,” Ranchez said. 

“It is really up to student leaders on how to be resourceful. Pwede ka magsulat ng letter at manghingi ng support sa congressman, konsehal and even sa [government] department itself,” she added. 

What is the deal with funding? 

Ranchez said that the “financial independence” of an SK is in practice through having their own bank account with the council’s budget. 

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) released a memorandum circular on Nov. 9 last year, pursuant to the aforementioned law, regarding an SK’s financial independence and the requirements for creating their bank accounts.  

However, she believes that opening a bank account for the barangay is a challenge in itself.  

“Yung mga problem na nae-encounter namin here is solely sa budget… we are still in the process of opening our account… you really have to follow every step or else babalik ka ulit sa umpisa,” Ranchez said. 

Based on the memorandum, the elected SK official and appointed SK treasurer shall file a fidelity bond application and tax identification number before opening a bank account through the Land Bank of the Philippines or the Development Bank of the Philippines. 

Ranchez said the release of SK funds in their barangay is given through cheques as they are still in the process of opening a bank account.  

She added that it affects their implementation of programs as some programs initiated by the council require a budget to proceed.  

In contrast to Ranchez, Enriquez’s already has a bank account. But, the financial woes persist for Enriquez as their barangay is yet to receive their annual appropriated budget.  

“Budget talaga kasi sa aming barangay kasi estimate pa lang, ‘yung pinaka figure pa lang, pero the budget itself ay hindi pa binibigay, so okay na lahat ng preparations but of course mahirap siya iexecute since mayrooong financial problem na kinakaharap,” he said.  

He added that the honorarium of SK officials comes from the SK’s annual budget, based on the Local Budget Circular 148 of the DBM.  

Based on the circular, an honorarium of SK officials shall “not exceed the rate equivalent to Salary Grade (SG) 9, Step 1 in the salary schedule implemented by the city,” or about P21,129.00 per month.  

In a university setting, Enriquez, who holds the outgoing Vice President position at ABSC, said that some events of the ABSC relied on sponsorships aside from the student council budget from UST due to financial limitations.  

As the ABSC’s Director for Policy Affairs, Ranchez added that “higher offices” such as the DILG only offer guidance on the process, but the actual work remains at the helm of the elected official.  

“The initiative and the paper processing itself, SK chairman and SK treasurer ang nag-te-take [charge] talaga. Parang katulad din sa student councils, hindi tinutulungan ng OSA (Office of Student Affairs) ‘yung mga presidents or other student leaders,” Ranchez said.  

With this, Enriquez said that since student councils and the SK are being led by the youth, student leaders must and are forced to “step up.”