REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 1963

Introduced by Kabataan Party-List Rep. Raymond V. Palatino

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The creation of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK), through the Local Government Code of 1991, was meant to empower the country’s youth by giving them a direct hand in governance and decision-making in the barangay level. By providing for the mandatory allocation of barangay funds for SK-led projects and programs promoting awareness, education and action among the youth, the Code sought to ensure that the needs of young barangay constituents are serviced by their peers. To do this effectively, the Code upholds the principle of democratic representation by instituting mechanisms for the youth to annually elect their representatives to the Sangguniang Barangay.

Unfortunately, since this supposedly progressive measure was put into place, the SK as an institution has been mired with allegations of corruption and inefficient governance. Allegations range from vote-buying, gathering kickbacks from SK-initiated projects and programs, and colluding with higher barangay officials to secure their vested interests. Consequently, legislative measures have repeatedly been proposed to abolish the SK to address such allegations.

Yet it is believed that the institution as a whole should not suffer from the practices of an erring few – if indeed the few are solely culpable for such crimes related to governance. In most barangays, the SK still stands as a representative body of the youth, advancing meaningful youth participation, promoting access to education and youth employment, and struggling for the delivery of basic social services for the youth sector. If anything, what the SK needs from the legislative is not a proposal to abolish it but a proposal to strengthen it through concrete and specific reforms that directly and unequivocally tighten the loopholes in existing laws.

As such, after due consultation with the SK National Executive Board and various SK officials around the country, this bill was created. Among its important aims are: to institute a uniform procedure for releasing and reviewing SK budgets, to empower the Katipunan ng Kabataan as the basic unit and consultative body of the SK, to more clearly define the procedures for succession and filling of vacancies, and to regularize training seminars for SK members. Essentially, these proposed reforms intend to return the faith of people, most especially the youth, in the SK as a genuinely representative local government unit that strives at all times to advance the rights and welfare of the Filipino youth and, concomitantly, to empower duly-elected SK officials as persons in authority to more efficiently carry out their duties and responsibilities.

In light of the foregoing, the urgent passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

Hon. Raymond V. Palatino

Representative, Kabataan Party-List

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. ____________

Introduced by KABATAAN Party-list Rep. Raymond V. Palatino

AN ACT

TO STRENGTHEN AND REFORM THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN (SK), AMENDING FOR THAT PURPOSE CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991,” AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress Assembled:

SECTION 1. Title. – This act shall be known as the “Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2010.”

SECTION 2. Barangay Funds. – Section 329 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 329. Barangay Funds. – All income of the barangay DERIVED FROM whatever source shall accrue to its general fund and shall, at the option of the barangay concerned, be kept as trust fund in the custody of the city or municipal treasurer or be deposited in a bank, preferably government-owned, situated in or nearest to its area of jurisdiction. Such funds shall be disbursed in accordance with the provisions of this Title. Ten percent (10%) of the general fund of the barangay shall be set aside for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK). THE SANGGUNIANG BARANGAY SHALL APPROPRIATE THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN FUND IN LUMP SUM. THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN SHALL HAVE FISCAL AUTONOMY IN ITS OPERATIONS AS TO DISBURSEMENTS AND ENCASHMENT OF THEIR INCOME AND EXPENSES.

SECTION 3. Procedure for reviewing Sangguniang Kabataan Budgets. – (a) All SK budgets shall be reviewed through the following procedure:

1) All SK Budgets shall be approved by a majority of all the members of the Sangguniang Kabataan based on the Annual Barangay Youth Development Plan (ABYDP) formulated in consultation with the Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK). The SK Chairperson shall furnish the Sangguniang Barangay and the higher SK Federation a copy of the ABYDP stated in this paragraph for their information and guidance;

2) All SK Budgets, with attached minutes of the KK Assembly approving the Annual Barangay Youth Development Plan, shall be submitted to the SK City/Municipal Local Executive Committee (LEC) on or before the last working day of October of every year. The SK City/Municipal Local Executive Committee shall review for approval and deliberate on the budget in a regular or special session whether the same conforms to the ABYDP, before the last working day of November.

3) The LEC shall see to it that the appropriations are based on the approved ABYDP and that at least two (2) of the priority concerns namely environment, livelihood, education, capability-building¸ moral recovery and anti-drug abuse campaign are allocated in the SK budget. All approved budgets shall be certified as approved by the SK City/Municipal President as the case may be;

4) Any SK Chairperson who fails to submit the SK Budget together with the attachments found in the preceding paragraph shall be subject to  proper investigation and appropriate disciplinary action to be determined by their respective SK LEC  in accordance with the SK Constitution and By-Laws;

5) No SK Budget can be utilized by the SK concerned, without the appropriate certification from the SK Federation President with the concurrence of the SK City/Municipal Local Executive Committee;

6) All Realignments in the Barangay SK Budgets shall be reviewed for approval and be deliberated in the same manner in paragraph 2.

(b) There shall be no mandatory allocations for the Barangay SK funds, except for a two per cent (2%) annual dues for the higher federations, provided that all appropriations are supported by its Annual Barangay Youth Development Plan.

Section 4. Creation and Election. – Section 423 of Republic Act No.   7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 423. Creation and Election. – (a) There shall be in every barangay a Sangguniang Kabataan to be composed of a CHAIRPERSON, seven (7) members AS KAGAWAD, a secretary and a treasurer. THE SECRETARY AND TREASURER SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE SK CHAIRPERSON FROM THE KAGAWADS WITH THE CONCURRENCE OF THE MAJORITY OF THE SK MEMBERS.

(b) x x x

Section 5. Katipunan ng Kabataan – Section 424 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 424. Katipunan ng Kabataan. – EVERY BARANGAY SHALL ESTABLISH A Katipunan ng Kabataan TO be composed of all citizens of the Philippines actually residing in the barangay for at least six (6) months, who are AT LEAST fifteen (15) but not more than twenty-one (21) years of age, and who are duly registered in the list of the Sangguniang Kabataan Secretary or in the official barangay list in the custody of the barangay secretary.

Section 6. Powers and Functions of the Katipunan ng mga Kabataan. – Section 425 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

SECTION 425. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE KATIPUNAN NG MGA KABATAAN. –

(A) THE KATIPUNAN NG KABATAAN (KK) SHALL BE THE HIGHEST POLICY-MAKING BODY OF THE YOUTH IN THE BARANGAY. THE SANGGUNIAN KABATAAN (SK) SHALL CONSULT THE KK ON ALL ITS PLANS, PROGRAMS AND ACTIONS. THE KK SHALL AT ALL TIMES STRIVE TO GIVE ITS APPROVAL THROUGH CONSENSUS.

HOWEVER, IN VERY SPECIFIC INSTANCES WHERE TIME IS A MAJOR CONSIDERATION AND CONSENSUS IS NOT IMMEDIATELY POSSIBLE, A MAJORITY VOTE OF MORE THAN FIFTY PERCENT (50% + 1) OF ALL KK MEMBERS PRESENT IN A GENERAL ASSEMBLY WITH QUORUM SHOULD BE REACHED TO APPROVE URGENT PLANS, PROGRAMS AND ACTIONS AFFECTING THE YOUTH IN THE BARANGAY.

(B) THE KK MAY, THROUGH A 2/3 MAJORITY VOTE OF ALL ITS MEMBERS, REPRIMAND, CENSURE OR REMOVE ANY SK MEMBER WHO AFTER DUE PROCESS IS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED IN THE DISCHARGE OF HIS OR HER DUTIES OR HAVE COMMITTED ABUSES AS STIPULATED IN EXISTING LAWS PERTAINING TO THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS;

(C) THE KK SHALL MEET AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR, OR AT THE CALL OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SK. THE FIRST KK MEETING SHALL TAKE PLACE NO LATER THAN THREE (3) MONTHS AFTER THE PROCLAMATION OF THE RESULTS OF THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SK ELECTION. THE SK CHAIRPERSON SHALL CONVENE THE FIRST KK MEETING, WHERE THE KK SHALL THEN CHOOSE AMONG ITS MEMBERS A KATIPUNAN LEAD CONVENOR WHO SHALL BE TASKED TO CONVENE ALL SUCCEEDING KK MEETINGS;

(D) THE KK SHALL CREATE A BODY, WHOSE MEMBERS SHALL BE CHOSEN AMONGST THEMSELVES, THAT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CLOSE COORDINATION OF THE KK WITH LOCAL AND NATIONAL YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS, ALLIANCES, FEDERATIONS AND THE LIKE FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING SOCIALLY RELEVANT PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BARANGAY’S ANNUAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

THE COORDINATING BODY MAY INVITE REPRESENTATIVES FROM SUCH ORGANIZATIONS TO SERVE AS RESOURCE SPEAKERS IN THE REGULAR MEETINGS AND EVENTS OF THE KK OR SK;

(E) THE KK MAY CREATE OTHER SUCH BODIES AND COMMITTEES AS IT DEEMS NECESSARY TO MOST EFFECTIVELY FULFILL ITS FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES.

Section 7. Powers and Functions of the Sangguniang Kabataan. – Section 426 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 426. Powers and Functions of the Sangguniang Kabataan. – The Sangguniang Kabataan shall:

(a) x x x

(b) INITIATE, IMPLEMENT AND MONITOR PROGRAMS THAT AIM TO EXPAND YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE AND TO PROMOTE QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL, SECURE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE;

(c) x x x

(d) x x x

(e) Submit annual and end-of-term reports to the sangguniang barangay AND KATIPUNAN NG MGA KABATAAN on their projects and activities for the survival and development of the youth in the barangay;

(f) Consult and coordinate with the KATIPUNAN NG MGA KABATAAN AND LOCAL AND NATIONAL youth organizations for policy formulation and program implementation;

(g) x x x

(h) x x x

(i) x x x

(j) SCHEDULE REGULAR INTERNAL EDUCATIONAL DISCUSSIONS AND LEADERSHIP TRAINING SEMINARS TO BE GIVEN BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM GOVERNMENT OFFICES, NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE’S ORGANIZATIONS TO ENSURE THAT THE BODY IS UPDATED ON IMPORTANT NATIONAL AND SOCIAL ISSUES AND IS EQUIPPED TO ADDRESS THESE EFFECTIVELY;

Section 7. Qualifications. – Section 428 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 428. Qualifications. – An elective official of the Sangguniang Kabataan must be:

A. A QUALIFIED MEMBER OF THE KATIPUNAN NG KABATAAN;

B. A RESIDENT OF THE BARANGAY FOR AT LEAST ONE (1) YEAR IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO ELECTIONS

C. AT LEAST EIGHTEEN (18) BUT NOT MORE THAN TWENTY-ONE (21) YEARS OF AGE ON THE DAY OF HIS OR HER ELECTION;

D. ABLE TO READ AND WRITE IN FILIPINO, ENGLISH, OR THE LOCAL DIALECT;

E. MUST NOT HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY CRIME INVOLVING MORAL TURPITUDE.

Section 8. Term of Office. – Section 429 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 429. Term of office. – The sangguniang kabataan CHAIRPERSON and members shall hold office for a period of three (3) years unless sooner removed for a cause as provided by law, permanently incapacitated, die or resign from office.

Section 9. Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson. – Section 430 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 430. Sangguniang Kabataan CHAIRPERSON. – The registered voters of the Katipunan ng Kabataan shall elect the chairperson of the Sangguniang Kabataan who shall automatically serve as an ex-officio member of the Sangguniang Barangay upon his OR HER assumption to office. As such, the CHAIRPERSON shall exercise the same powers, discharge the same duties and functions, and enjoy the same privileges as the regular Sangguniang Barangay members and shall be the CHAIRPERSON of the committee on youth and sports development in the said sanggunian.

Section 10. Powers and Duties of the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson. – Section 431 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 431. Powers and Duties of the Sangguniang Kabataan CHAIRPERSON. – In addition to the duties which may be assigned to him by the Sangguniang Barangay, the Sangguniang Kabataan CHAIRPERSON SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING DUTIES:

(a) Call and preside over all meetings of the sangguniang kabataan, AND IF SO DECIDED BY THE BODY, THE KATIPUNAN NG KABATAAN;

(b) ENSURE AND MONITOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF policies, programs, and projects within his jurisdiction in coordination with the sangguniang barangay;

(c) Exercise general supervision over the affairs and activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan and the official conduct of its members, and such other officers of the Sangguniang Kabataan within his OR HER jurisdiction;

(d) x x x

(e) x x x

Section 11. Sangguniang Kabataan Treasurer. Section 433 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 433. Sangguniang Kabataan Treasurer – x x x

(a) Take custody of all Sangguniang Kabataan property and funds, THE LATTER OF WHICH ARE TO BE DEPOSITED IN A BANK PREFERABLY GOVERNMENT-OWNED, SITUATED IN OR NEAREST TO ITS AREA OF JURISDICTION, UNDER THE NAME OF THE SK CONCERNED or to be deposited to the city or municipal treasurer;

(b) x x x

(c) x x x

(d) x x x

(e) Submit to the KATIPUNAN NG KABATAAN, Sangguniang Kabataan and to the Sangguniang Barangay certified and detailed statements of actual income and expenditures at the end of EVERY QUARTER TO BE PUBLISHED OR POSTED IN AT LEAST THREE CONSPICUOUS SPACES WITHIN THE BARANGAY; and

(f) x x x

Section 12. Privileges of Sangguniang Kabataan Officials – Section 434 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 434 – Privileges of Sangguniang Kabataan Officials. – (A) The Sangguniang Kabataan CHAIRPERSON shall have the same privileges enjoyed by other Sangguniang Barangay officials under this Code subject to such requirements and limitations provided herein.

(B) ALL SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN KAGAWADS SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE HONORARIA, TRAVEL ALLOWANCES AND OTHER SUCH COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES AS MAY BE AUTHORIZED BY NATIONAL LAWS OR LOCAL ORDINANCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS CODE, PROVIDED THAT ANY HONORARIA, TRAVEL ALLOWANCES AND OTHER SUCH COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES THAT ARE TO BE TAKEN FROM THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN FUNDS SHALL BE FIRST APPROVED BY THE KATIPUNAN NG KABATAAN.

(C) ALL SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN OFFICIALS SHALL BE EXEMPTED FROM TAKING UP NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM – CIVIC WELFARE TRAINING SERVICE (NSTP-CWTS) SUBJECTS OR COURSES IN THEIR SCHOOLS OF ENROLMENT.

(D) ALL SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN OFFICIALS SHALL BE TREATED AS PERSONS IN AUTHORITY AS DEFINED BY LAW IN CONNECTION WITH THE ACTUAL DISCHARGE OF THEIR OFFICIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS AS SUCH.

(E) ALL SANGGUNINANG KABATAAN OFFICIALS, DURING THEIR INCUMBENCY, SHALL BE EXEMPTED FROM PAYMENT OF TUITION AND OTHER MATRICULATION FEES WHILE ENROLLED IN PUBLIC TERTIARY SCHOOLS, INCLUDING STATE UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES. THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SHALL REIMBURSE THE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN WHICH THE SK OFFICIAL IS ENROLLED THE AMOUNT OF THE TUITION AND OTHER MATRICULATION FEES, PROVIDED THAT THE SAID OFFICIAL SHALL ENROLL IN A PUBLIC TERTIARY SCHOOL LOCATED WITHIN THE REGION OF THE BARANGAY WHERE HE OR SHE AS A SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN OFFICIAL IS SERVING.

Section 13. Succession and Filling of Vacancies. – Section 435 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 435. Succession and Filling of Vacancies –

(A) In case a Sangguniang Kabataan CHAIRPERSON refuses to assume office, fails to qualify, is convicted of a felony, voluntarily resigns, dies, is permanently incapacitated or is removed from office, the Sangguniang Kabataan member who obtained the next highest number of votes in the election immediately preceding shall assume the office of the CHAIRPERSON for the unexpired portion of term, and shall discharge the powers and duties, and enjoy the rights and privileges appurtenant to the office. In case the said member refuses to assume the position or fails to qualify, the sangguniang kabataan member who obtained the next highest number of votes shall assume the position of the CHAIRPERSON for the unexpired portion of the term. IN CASE ALL MEMBERS OF THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN REFUSES TO ASSUME OFFICE OR FAIL TO QUALIFY, A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR A NEW CHAIRPERSON BY THE KATIPUNAN NG KABATAAN SHALL BE CONVENED FIFTEEN (15) DAYS AFTER THE VACANCY IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AND THE SANGGUNIANG BARANGAY.

(B) THE FOLLOWING SHALL CONSTITUTE GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE FOR A SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS:

1. ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE OR VALID REASON FOR MORE THAN THREE (3) CONSECUTIVE MONTHS AS MANIFESTED IN THE RECORDS OF THE SANGGUNIANG BARANGAY SESSIONS AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN MEETINGS;

2. AS CHAIRPERSON, OR ACTING IN SUCH CAPACITY, FAILURE TO CONVENE MEETINGS OF THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN AND/OR THE KATIPUNAN NG KABATAAN FOR AT LEAST TWO (2) CONSECUTIVE TIMES;

3. VIOLATION OF EXISTING LAWS AGAINST GRAFT AND CORRUPTION AND OTHER CIVIL SERVICE LAWS; AND

4. CONVICTION OF A CRIME INVOLVING MORAL TURPITUDE.

(C) IN CASES OF INVESTIGATION FOR REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OF A SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN OFFICIAL, THE KATIPUNAN NG KABATAAN SHALL FORM A COMMITTEE WHICH SHALL REPORT TO THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN (SK) FEDERATION ITS OBSERVATIONS, COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION OR DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS FOR THE CONCERNED OFFICIAL. THE SK FEDERATION SHALL FORWARD THE APPROVED COMMITTEE REPORT CONTAINING THE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG) OF THE CONCERNED LOCAL GOVERNMENT BEFORE ITS EFFECTIVITY: PROVIDED THAT SUCH DECISION IS APPEALABLE TO THE SK PROVINCIAL FEDERATION IN THE CASE OF SK PAMBAYANG PEDERASYON AND TO THE SK NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD (NEB) IN THE CASE OF HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES (HUC’S) AND INDEPENDENT COMPONENT CITIES (ICC’S).

(D) IN CASES OF VACANCY IN THE POSITIONS OF THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN KAGAWAD, THE CHAIRPERSON SHALL CONVENE THE KATIPUNAN NG KABATAAN TO ELECT MEMBERS OF THE VACATED POSITIONS, PROVIDED THAT SUCH ELECTION SHALL BE CONDUCTED IN COORDINATIONS WITH THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS AND THE SANGGUNIANG BARANGAY.

Section 14. Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan. – Section 436 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 436. Pederasyon ng mga Sanguniang Kabataan. –

(A) x x x

(B) x x x

(C) x x x

(D) THE SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN CHAIRPERSON WHO IS ELECTED AS FEDERATION PRESIDENT SHALL AUTOMATICALLY SERVE AS AN EX-OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE LOCAL SANGGUNIANG PAMBAYAN, PANGLUNGSOD, OR PANLALAWIGAN, AS THE CASE MAY BE AND OF SPECIAL BODIES, SUCH AS BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE LOCAL HEALTH BOARD, PEACE AND ORDER COUNCIL, LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD AND LOCAL TOURISM COUNCIL. AS SUCH HE OR SHE SHALL HAVE THE SAME POWERS, DISCHARGE THE SAME DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS, AND ENJOY THE SAME PRIVILEGES AS THE REGULAR MEMBERS OF THESE SPECIAL BODIES.

(E) The Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan at the City, Municipality and Provincial level shall have an automatic allocation of one (1%) percent of the internal revenue allotment of the local government unit concerned to be used for the programs, projects and operations of the federation.

(F) The president of the pambansang pederasyon ng mga SK shall serve as ex-officio commissioner of the National Youth Commission as provided for IN Republic Act No. 8044. As ex-officio commissioner, he OR SHE shall be entitled to the same rank, compensation, rights and privileges of a department assistant secretary.

(G) The pambansang pederasyon ng SK shall maintain its own secretariat for efficient coordination and effective implementation of its programs.

(H) The pambansang pederasyon ng SK shall be independent of all government offices and agencies in its operations. It shall develop active lines of coordination and communication with the different government offices and agencies and shall be solely responsible for all its policies and operations. At the end of each calendar year, it shall submit to the President of the Philippines, through the Department of Interior and Local Government (dilg), an annual report of programs and activities, including a financial statement of all its funds and disbursements. The Pambansang Pederasyon President is the one responsible for the submission of the annual report of programs and activities. The Pambansang Pederasyon President together with the Pambansang Pederasyon Treasurer are responsible for the submission of the financial statement of all its funds and disbursements. ALL SUCH INFORMATION MUST BE POSTED IN A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WEBSITE ON THE INTERNET.

(I) The Pambansang Pederasyon ng SK is hereby authorized to receive donations, requests, grants and funds from other sources¸ subject to the pertinent provisions of law and approval of the National Executive Board (NEB).

(J) The pambansang pederasyon ng SK shall be exempted from all forms of taxation or other impositions, and shall be free from all duties and all other imposts on any equipment, articles or goods necessary for its operations.

Section 15. Section 439 of Republic Act No. 7160 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 439. Observance of BUWAN ng Kabataan –

(A) Every barangay, municipality, city and province shall, in coordination with the pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan at all levels, conduct an annual activity to be known as the Buwan ng Kabataan every May of every year. Non-compliance with this provision of sangguniang kabataan at all levels would mean an imposition of disciplinary actions to be determined by the SK Federation in ACCORDANCE with the SK Constitution and By-Laws.

(B) The observance of the BUWAN ng Kabataan shall include the election of the counterparts of all local elective and appointive officials, as well as heads of national offices or agencies stationed or assigned in the territorial jurisdiction of the local government unit, among in-school and community youth residing in the local government unit concerned from ages thirteen (13) to seventeen (17). During said week, they shall hold office as boy and girl officials and shall perform such duties and conduct such activities as may be provided in the ordinance enacted pursuant to this Chapter.

Section 16. Registration. – Registration of Sangguniang Kabataan voters shall be governed by Republic Act No. 8189. The system of continuing registration provided under section 8 of Republic Act No. 8189 shall also apply to the registration of the Katipunan ng Kabataan members.

Section 17. Constitution and By-Laws. – The term of office, manner of election, removal, filling up of vacancies, suspension and disciplinary action of the officers and members of the Pederasyon ng mga SK at all levels, and the procedure of reviewing and allocating SK budgets, shall be exclusively governed by the Constitution and By-laws of the SK promulgated and ratified by the SK National Federation. Provided, that provisions of such Constitution and By-laws are in line with the provisions of this Code and other existing national laws and policies of the youth.

Provided, that the Chairperson/President of the SK or Pederasyon ng mga SK at any level, who is suspended or removed from his or her position in accordance with the SK constitution and by-laws and as provided for in the local government code and other applicable laws shall also be deemed suspended or removed in the local sanggunian where he or she sits as an ex-officio member.

The Chairman/President of the Pederasyon at any level, or the SK Chairperson when removed as ex-officio member of the sanggunian on the grounds provided in the Local Government Code, shall be automatically removed as Chairperson/President of the Pederasyon concerned.

Section 18. Appropriations. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall be incorporated in the Annual General Appropriations Act.

Section 19. Separability Clause. – If any section or provision of this Act shall be declared unconstitutional, the remaining sections or provisions shall not be affected thereby.

Section 20. Repealing Clause. – All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, letters of instruction, rules and regulations which are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 21. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation. 

Approved,