MANILA — Extending the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years could save the government around P30 billion in election expenses while giving Congress time to review possible reforms to the youth council system, Deputy Speaker Janette Garin said.

Garin said the House has adopted the Senate-approved measure extending the terms and moving the next barangay and SK elections to November 2028.

“Itong hakbang na ito ay makaka-save ang gobyerno ng approximately P30 billion direct cost at magagamit ito sa pagtugon ng mga problema ngayon dala ng sakuna,” Garin said at the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

The House adopted Senate Bill No. 2387 on Sept. 16 after the Senate approved it on third and final reading, 13-5. The measure provides for five-year terms and sets the next elections on the second Monday of November 2028.

It also establishes a two-term limit for barangay officials moving forward, Garin said.

“So kung ikaw ay nasa second term mo, last term mo na ’yan. Kapag ikaw ay nasa third term mo, eh last term mo na rin ’yan. Moving forward, two terms, five years each term,” she said.

Garin acknowledged that extending the terms has drawn mixed reactions, particularly from constituents who may be dissatisfied with the performance of their barangay officials.

She said, however, that lawmakers must also weigh the cost of holding another nationwide barangay and SK elections against other government priorities, including disaster response.

The extended period before the next elections could also give Congress time to examine complaints involving the SK and consider possible changes to the youth council system.

“Wala ito doon sa panukalang batas, pero ramdam na ramdam namin at rinig na rinig namin ang mga reklamo at problema ukol sa Sangguniang Kabataan,” she said.

Garin clarified that the concerns do not involve all SK officials but said lawmakers have received complaints about the alleged misuse of the financial autonomy granted to youth councils.

These include allegations of forged signatures of SK treasurers and checks whose proceeds were allegedly not properly accounted for, she said.

Garin did not identify any specific officials or cases in relation to the allegations.

She said some lawmakers are studying possible amendments to the SK system, while others are considering its abolition.

However, she stressed that neither proposal is included in the pending measure extending the terms of barangay and SK officials.

“So ’yung extension from four to five years will also be a breathing space para ma-review ng mga may intensyon at nananawagan sa posibilidad na magkaroon ng pag-amenda doon sa SK, or doon naman sa total abolition ng Sangguniang Kabataan,” she said.

One possible alternative, Garin said, is to retain youth representation in barangay governments without maintaining the SK in its current form.

“Kasi pwede naman magkaroon ng youth representative ’yung ating barangay kagawad,” Garin said.

She added: “Wala ’yun sa batas. Pero meron tayong mga kongresista na tinitingnan at pag-aaralan ’yun para naman ’yung gastusin doon ay mapunta na lamang doon sa mga pangangailangan ng barangay.”