Romualdez wants 6-year terms for barangay, SK officials

SPEAKER Martin Romualdez has filed a bill seeking to set the term of office of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to six years from the present three years to ensure the continuity of their projects and protect them from politicking.

The Speaker told members of the Liga ng Mga Barangay (LMP) holding its National Congress at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Pasay City yesterday that he is the principal author of House Bill No. 10747.

“Sa ganitong paraan, magkakaroon kayo ng sapat na oras upang magplano at magpatupad ng mga pang-matagalang programa para sa ikauunlad ng inyong barangay (In this manner, you will have enough time to plan and implement long-term programs for the development of your barangays,” Romualdez said.

Under HBN 10747, barangay and SK officials will be prohibited from serving more than two consecutive terms in office.

The other authors of the bill are Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Tingog party-list Reps. Jude Acidre and Yedda Marie Romualdez, and Isabela Rep. Faustino Dy V.

“Sa loob ng anim na taon, hindi na kayo maaabala ng mga isyung elektoral at makakapagtuon kayo ng buong atensyon sa serbisyo sa inyong mga ka-barangay. Makakabuo tayo ng matatag na pamumuno sa barangay at masisigurong sustainable ang mga proyekto at programa (Within six years, you will not be bothered by electoral issues and will be able to focus your attention and service to your barangay constituents. We will establish strong leaderships in barangays and sustainable projects and programs),” said Romualdez.

The Speaker said the current status of the barangay officials’ terms is confusing because there were laws passed extending it, which prompted a Supreme Court ruling prohibiting another extension “that’s why we need to fix and set the terms of our barangay officials.”

Romualdez also told thousands of barangay officials throughout the country that they may soon become members of the Social Security System (SSS) at no cost to them.

He said he has already met with the president of SSS on his advocacy of making barangay officials as members of