MANILA – The National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Youth and Students Sectoral Council (YSSC) has strongly opposed bills aimed at extending the terms of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials.
Senate Bill 2816 and House Bill 1187 propose extending the three-year terms of barangay and SK officials to six years, while also postponing the 2025 elections to May 2029.
In a statement released Friday, YSSC Sectoral Representative Ninian Sumadia and Vice Chairperson Ruperto Aleroza urged President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to veto these bills if they pass through Congress.
The NAPC emphasized that regular elections are essential for accountable, responsive leadership, and the bills fail to address local governance challenges. “Term extensions do not guarantee better public service delivery,” they stated, adding that local officials can perform effectively with adequate government support.
The council also referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling declaring the postponement of the 2022 elections unconstitutional, highlighting the need for stronger institutional support for barangay and SK officials as their roles grow.
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