Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) officials in Baybay City, Leyte will receive a monthly allowance from the city government as approved by the city council.

City Ordinance No. 31, S-2020 or “an ordinance granting subsidy as allowance under aid to the barangay’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councilors, secretaries, and treasurers of the city prescribing guidelines for its implementation, providing funds thereof and for other purposes” was authored by Councilor Jose Rommel Peñaranda and SK Federation President Mark Michael Unlu-cay.

Based on the ordinance, SK councilors, secretaries, and treasurers will be receiving an allowance of not less than PHP300 per month from the city government, Unlu-cay said on Wednesday.

SK chairmen are not included in the benefit since they have a monthly salary.

“For now, they will receive PHP300, but in the future, the mayor has to decide for an increase depending on the availability of funds,” Unlu-cay said in a phone interview.

To receive the benefit, the SK officials will be appointed as members of the different barangay (village) special councils representing the youth sector for them to participate in the policy formation and serve as active partners of the city and the community in local governance.

The allowance will allow them to defray expenses when attending meetings and other responsibilities to actively promote the welfare of the youth in the special councils and the villages.

These village special councils include the development council, drug abuse council, child protection council, peace and order council, disaster risk reduction and management council, ecological solid waste management council, physical fitness and sports development council, nutrition council, and peacekeeping action team.

The SK federation president executive officers will serve as the oversight committee to ensure the proper implementation of the province of the ordinance.

The ordinance will benefit the city’s 828 SK councilors, secretaries, and treasurers from 92 villages. (PNA)