BASIC INFORMATION ON BARANGAY AND SK

OCTOBER 30, 2023 ELECTIONS1

What is a Barangay?

It is the basic territorial and political unit of government and the basic unit of the Philippine society.
Originally, it is a group of more than 45 to 50 families who composed a community (where there is
relationship, system of life, beliefs, traditions, etc) and living in same territory.

The Local Government Code of 1991 states that: a barangay is situated in a contagious territory,
composed of at least two thousand (2,000) inhabitants except in cities and municipalities within Metro
Manila and other urbanized cities where the population is at least five thousands (5,000) inhabitants.

What is the Role of the Barangay?

The barangay, as the basic political unit, serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of
government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein
collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be
amicably settled.

What is the power or authority of the Barangay?

The Local Government Code of 1991 authorizes and empowers the Barangay of the following:

1. May remove elective city and municipal officials by preparatory recall assembly
2. Set direct tax to the small retail stores
3. Set regulatory and service fee on certain activities
4. Require all businesses and regulated activities to first get clearances from the Barangay before
issuance of permits by higher local unit of government
5. Impose maximum penalty of P1, 000.00 for violation of Barangay ordinance
6. Entitle to 20 percent share from the internal revenue allotment (IRA) of the local unit of government.
7. Entitle to 35 percent of the shares accruing to the local unit of government for development and
exploitation of the national wealth in their jurisdiction.
8. Entitle to 25 percent share in the real property tax for provincial barangays and 30 percent share for
city barangays.
9. May get 50 percent share of the total collection of taxes made in their respective jurisdictions
10. Entitle to 40 percent share from tax payments on the extraction of sand, gravel and quarry.
11. Provide for a procurement system in the barangay.
12. Barangay ordinances on tax and income shall not be necessary reviewed by the Department of
Finance
13. Allowed to create indebtedness and avail of credit facilities to finance their development needs.

1
Prepared By: Good Governance Program, Commission on Social Action – Diocese of Kabankalan as guide in conducting
Voter’s Education
Barangay Structure

Component Number & Membership General Functions

Punong Barangay (PB) 1 Executive, Legislative and Judicial
Sangguniang Barangay 9 Members Legislative
(SB) 1 Punong Barangay
7 Regular Members
1 SK Chairman
Barangay Development 13 Members Formulates barangay development plan
Council All SB members (9) assists PB in preparation of annual
(BDC) 1 rep of Congressman executive and supplemental budgets
3 from NGO and PO
Sangguniang Kabataan 8 Members Issue resolutions on and addresses youth
(SK) 1 Chairperson affairs
7 Regular Members
Lupong Tagapamayapa 11 – 21 Members Exercises conciliatory powers over minor
(LT) 1 Punong Barangay disputes
10-20 Appointees
Barangay Assembly Actual residents, 15 years and Recommends to SB legislative measures
(BA) over, registered in list and Hears and passes upon SB report
Filipinos
Katipunang Kabataan Actual residents, 15 – 21 years, Decide on matters affecting youth
(KK) registered in list and Filipinos

Barangay Officials and their Powers, Duties, Functions and Benefits

Officials Powers, Duties and Functions Benefits

Punong Head of the barangay government 1. Honoraria, allowances and other
Barangay 1. Enforce all laws and ordinances; emoluments not less than
(PB) 2. Negotiate, enter into, and sign contracts P1, 000/month
upon authorization of the SB;
3. Maintain public order PB & SB salaries and other emoluments
Elected 4. Call and preside over the sessions of the shall not exceed 60 percent of the total
SB, LT BA, income of the barangay; and such
5. Appoint or replace barangay secretary, compensation, per diem and travel
treasure and other appointed barangay expenses shall exceed those granted to
officials upon approval of the SB city/municipal mayor and sanggunian.
6. Organize and lead an emergency group for
maintenance of peace and order or 2. Christmas bonus at least P1, 000
occasions of emergency or calamity 3. Insurance (temporary and permanent
7. Prepare the plan and budget in coordination disability, double indemnity,
with the barangay development council; accident, death and burial benefits)
 8. Approve vouchers relating to the 4. Free medical care including
disbursement of funds; subsistence, medicines, and medical
9. Enforce laws and regulations relating attendance in any government
pollution control and protection of the hospital or institution. Or in case of
environment; extreme urgency, he/she may submit
10. Administer the operation of the to nearest private clinic, hospital or
katarungang pambarangay; institution with the expenses not
11. Exercise general supervision over the exceeding P5,000, which chargeable
activities of the SK; to barangay funds
12. Ensure the delivery of basic services 5. Exempted paying tuition and
13. Conduct an annual palarong barangay; matriculation fees for legitimate
14. Promote general welfare of the barangay dependent children attending state
15. Exercise other duties and functions may be and colleges or universities;
prescribed by law or ordinance 6. Entitled to appropriate civil service
eligibility on the basis of the number
of years of service to the barangay
Sangguniang 1. Enact ordinances promoting general Same with PB except honoraria,
Barangay welfare, taxes and budget; allowances and other emoluments which
(SB) 2. Provide for the construction and mainte shall not less than P600/month
nance of barangay infrastructures;
Elected 3. Suggest or recommend legislative agenda
for city/municipal SB for the improvement
of the barangay;
4. Assist in the establishment of cooperative
enterprises that will improve the economic
conditions and well-being of the residents;
5. Solicit and accept monies, properties or
materials from donation and organize
activities to generate barangay funds;
6. Authorize PB to enter into contract in
behalf of the barangay, subject to the
provisions of this code;
7. Prescribe fines in amount not exceeding
P1, 000 for violation of barangay
ordinances;
8. Organize regular lectures, programs and
fora on community problems;
9. Adopt measures to prevent and control
proliferation of squatters and mendicants in
the barangay;
10. Adopt measures towards the prevention
and eradication of drug abuse, child abuse,
and juvenile delinquency;
11. Provide for the proper development and
welfare of children;
12. Provide administrative needs of the Lupong
 Tagapamayapa and the Pangkat ng
Tagapagsundo;
13. Provide for the delivery of basic services;
14. Initiate the establishment of a barangay
high school, if feasible;
15. Approve plans for the development of the
barangay
Sangguniang 1. Call and preside over all meetings of the Has the same privileges enjoyed by
Kabataan KK and the SK other Sangguniang barangay officials.
Chairman 2. Implement policies, programs and projects
for the youth
Elected 3. Exercise general supervision over the
affairs and activities of the SK
4. Appoint secretary and treasurer with the
concurrence with the SK
Barangay 1. Keep custody of all records of the SB and Same with members of the Sangguniang
Secretary BA meetings; Barangay (SB)
2. Prepare and keep minutes of all meetings;
Appointed 3. Prepare a list of members of BA;
4. Assist in the preparation of all necessary
forms for the conduct of barangay
elections, initiatives, referenda or
plebiscites.
5. Assist in the registration of births, deaths
and marriages;
6. Keep an updated record of all inhabitants
of the barangay;
7. Submit a report on the actual number of
barangay resident
8. Exercise other duties and functions may be
prescribed by law or ordinance
Barangay 1. Keep custody of barangay funds and Same with members of the Sangguniang
Treasurer properties; Barangay (SB)
2. Collect and issue receipts for taxes, fees,
Appointed contributions, monies, materials, and all
other resources accruing to the barangay
and deposit the same in the account of the
barangay;
3. Disburse funds
4. Submit to the PB a statement of actual
income and expenditures of the barangay;
5. Certify as to the availability of funds;
6. Make a written report of all barangay funds
and properties under custody;
7. Post itemized monthly revenues and
expenditures of the barangay;
 8. Plan and attend to the rural postal circuit
9. Exercise other duties and functions may be
prescribed by law or ordinance

The barangay shall endeavor to be self-reliant and shall continue exercising the powers and discharging
the powers and duties entrusted to them. Barangay officials, particularly the PB, shall ensure the delivery
of basic services and facilities, including but are not limited to the following:

1) Agricultural support services which include planting materials distribution system and operation
of farm produce collection and buying stations;
2) Health and social welfare services which include maintenance of barangay health center and day-
care center;
3) Services and facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation, beautification, and solid waste
collection;
4) Maintenance of katarungang pambarangay;
5) Maintenance of barangay roads and bridges and water supply systems;
6) Infrastructure facilities such as multi-purpose hall, multipurpose pavement, plaza, sports center,
and other similar facilities;
7) Information and reading center; and
8) Satellite or public market, where viable.

Qualifications/Disqualifications for any barangay officials

Candidate for any elective position in the barangay must be (LGC Sec.39)

1. A citizen of the Philippines;

2. A registered voter in the barangay;
3. A resident in the barangay for at least one year immediately preceding the day of the election;
4. At least eighteen years old on election day or above. For SK, must be at least eighteen (18) years
of age but not more than twenty-four (24) years of age on election day.
5. Able to read and write Filipino or other local language or dialect

The following persons are disqualified from running for any elective barangay position (LGC Sec.40):

1. Those sentenced by final judgment for an offense involving moral turpitude (shameful
wickedness) or an offense punishable by one (1) year or more of imprisonment, within two (2)
years after serving sentence:
2. Those removed from office as a result of an administrative case;
3. Those convicted by final judgment for violating the oath of allegiance to the Republic;
4. Those with dual citizenship;
5. Fugitives from justice [persons who have convicted by final judgment (Art.73, IRR)] in criminal
or nonpolitical cases here or abroad;
6. Permanent residents in a foreign country or those who have acquired the right to reside abroad and
continue to avail of the same right after the effectivity of the Code; and
7. Those who are insane or feeble-minded.
For appointive barangay officials e.g. barangay secretary and treasurer, both are appointed by PB with
the concurrence of a majority of all the SB members (same qualifications and disqualifications with PB &
SB). In addition, no persons shall be appointed as barangay secretary and treasurer with the following
reasons:

1. Those who are Members of SB;

2. Those who are government employees; or
3. Those who are relatives of the PB with the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity (parents
up to great grandparents, children down to great children, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts,
first cousins, and relatives of his/her spouse by the same degree)

Manner of Election

Election shall be held every three (3) years on the date provided by law

Punong and Sangguniang barangay shall be elected at large in their respective units by the qualified voters
therein.

Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman shall be elected by the registered voters of the Katipunan ng Kabataan,
as provided in this Code.

Term of Office – three (3) years

Barangay officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan shall have the term of office for three (3)
years. They may not serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same position. Voluntary
renunciation of the 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 concerned was elected
SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN (SK)
Sangguniang Kabataan or SK – is a youth organization or a form of youth government mandated by law
to be formed in every barangay (Sec. 423). It is the main instrument available for young Filipinos seeking
realization of new politics. It is a venue of participation of the youth in the barangay governance through
its chairperson. It could better reflect the hopes and visions of young Filipinos and addresses basically the
affairs and interests of the youth.

SK is composed of a chairman/chairperson, seven (7) members, a secretary, and a treasurer.

Powers and Functions of the SK (Sec. 426)

1. Promulgate resolutions necessary to carry out the objectives of the youth in the barangay;
2. Initiate programs designed to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral,
spiritual, and physical development of the members;
3. Hold fund-raising activities, the proceeds of which shall be tax exempt and shall accrue to the
general fund of the SK;
4. Create such bodies or committees as it may be deem necessary to effectively carry out its
programs and activities;
5. Submit annual and end-of-term reports to the SB on their projects and activities for the survival
and development of the youth in the barangay;
6. Consult and coordinate with all youth organizations in the barangay for policy formulation and
program implementation;
7. Coordinate with the appropriate national agency for the implementation of youth development
projects and programs at the national level;
8. Exercise such other power and perform such other duties and functions as the SB may determine
or delegate; and
9. Exercise other powers and perform other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or
ordinance.

Qualifications of election members of the SK

1. Must be a citizen of the Philippines

2. A qualified voter of the katipunan ng kabataan;
3. A resident of the barangay for not less than 1 year immediately preceding the day of the election.
4. At least eighteen (18) years but not more than twenty-four (24) years of age on the day of election;
5. Able to read and write Filipino, English, or the local dialect;
6. Must not be related within 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected
national or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal or barangay official in
the locality where the aspirant seeks to be elected; and
7. Must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude.
Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman

The registered voters of the Katipunan ng Kabataan shall elect the chairman of the SK, who shall then
automatically serve as an ex-officio member of the sangguniang barangay (SB) upon assumption of
his/her office. SK chair shall exercise the same powers, discharge the same duties and functions, and the
same privileges as the regular SB members, and shall be the chairman of the committee on youth and
sports development in the said sanggunian.
Election and Term of Office

The SK officials shall be elected by the katipunan ng kabataan and 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.

Regular elections of the SK members shall be held one hundred twenty days (120) after the barangay
elections and shall be held every three (3) years. A SK member who during his/her term of office, shall
have passed the age of twenty-one (21) years shall be allowed to serve the remaining portion of the term
for which he/she was elected. The conduct and the administration of the elections of the SK members
shall be under the supervision of the Commission on election.

SK Officials and their Powers and Duties

Officials Powers and Duties Privileges

Sangguniang 1. Call and preside over all meetings of Same privileges enjoyed by other
Kabataan Chairman the KK and the SK sangguniang barangay officials
2. Implement policies, programs and
projects for the youth
3. Exercise general supervision over the
affairs and activities of the SK
4. Appoint secretary and treasurer with
the concurrence with the SK
Sangguniang 1. Keep all records of the KK and SK Exempt from payment of tuition and
Kabataan Secretary 2. Prepare and keep the minutes of all matriculation fees while enrolled in
meetings of the KK & SK public tertiary schools, including state
3. Prepare all form necessary for the colleges and universities within or
conduct of registrations, elections, nearest their area of jurisdiction.
initiatives, referenda, or plebiscite in
coordination with the barangay
secretary and the COMELEC; and
4. Perform such other duties and
discharge such other functions as the
chairman of the SK may prescribe or
direct;
Sangguniang 1. Take custody of all SK property and Exempt from payment of tuition and
Kabataan Treasurer funds not otherwise deposited with the matriculation fees while enrolled in
city or municipal treasurer; public tertiary schools, including state
2. Collect and receive contributions, colleges and universities within or
monies, materials, and all other nearest their area of jurisdiction.
resources intended for the SK and KK;
3. Disburse funds in accordance with the
approved budget of the SK;
4. Certify to the availability of funds
whenever necessary;
5. Submit to the SKJ and to the SB
certified and detailed statements of
actual income and expenditures at the
end of every month; and
6. Perform such other duties and
discharge such other functions as the
chairman of the SK may direct.

Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK) - is the assembly of the youth in the barangay. It is a mandate that every
barangay shall have a Katipunan ng Kabataan whose primary objective is to enhance the physical, social,
political, cultural, intellectual, moral and spiritual development of the youth in the country.

KK is composed of all Filipinos actually residing in the barangay for at least six (6) months, who are
fifteen (15), but not more than thirty (30) years of age, and who are duly registered in the list of the
Sangguniang Kabataan or in the official barangay list in the custody of the barangay secretary.

KK meets at least once every three (3) months, or at the call of the chairman of the SK or upon written
petition of at least one-twentieth (1/20) of its members, to decide on important issues affecting the youth
of the barangay.

Members of the Katipunan ng Kabataan are eligible to vote and be elected in the SK elections and
participate in all activities as may be adopted by them, promulgated by the SK or as may be provided by
law: provided however, that such participation shall be subject to the provision of the code, existing laws
and these rules.
SOME IMPORTANT INFORMATION for Barangay and SK elections

The barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections are scheduled on October 30, 2023
Total budget for the elections is PhP 2.589 billion from taxpayers’ pockets.

The election of the chairman and the members of the Barangay Council and that of the members of the
barangay-level Sangguniang Kabataan, elected by voters aged 18 to 24, will be held simultaneously in
42,027 barangays in the country

There will be about 68,557,452 million registered voters. The registered youth voters are now at
23,474,978.

The number of ballots include a total of 92 million, 66,973.949 barangay ballots and
23,639,4777 SK ballots that will be used in the Oct 30 polls.