MANILA, Philippines— The Senate has approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2816, which sets a four-year term of office for barangay officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK).

The measure was met with unanimous support during the plenary session, with 22 senators voting in favor and no abstentions or negative votes.

“With the longer fixed term, the barangay officials and members of the SK will deepen their understanding of both national and local issues, as well as implement their own medium and long term initiative at the barangay level,” explained Senator Imee R. Marcos during her sponsorship speech Tuesday.

Currently, Barangay and SK officials serve three-year terms, with a limit of three consecutive terms.

The bill specifies that barangay officials and SK members will serve four-year terms, with a maximum of three consecutive terms in the same position. 

It also clarifies that “voluntary renunciation of office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of service for the full term for which the elective official was elected.”

At the same time, the bill schedules the next regular barangay and SK elections for the first Monday of October 2027, with subsequent elections to be held every four years. 

Newly elected officials will assume office starting November 1 following their election.

To ensure governance continuity, all incumbent barangay officials and SK members will remain in office unless sooner removed or suspended for cause until their successors are elected and qualified, it said.

However, those serving their third consecutive term in the same position will be disqualified from running for the same post in the October 2027 elections.

The measure now awaits deliberation in the House of Representatives. If enacted, it is expected to provide barangay and SK officials with greater opportunities to implement long-term plans while maintaining mechanisms to ensure leadership rotation.