Roxas City SK chair faces honoraria dispute

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in Barangay Liong is facing complaints over the non-release of honoraria to his kagawads for four months last year.

The SK kagawads filed a complaint with the Department of the Interior and Local Government in Roxas City against SK Chairman Jayboy Cabantug.

The complaint stemmed from the nonpayment of their honoraria covering four months in 2025.

The kagawads said Cabantug recently promised to release the unpaid honoraria in 2026.

They later learned, however, that the honoraria could no longer be charged to the 2026 budget because the obligation should be covered by the 2025 budget.

In their letter, the kagawads called for transparency in governance, saying they were not informed where the allocated funds had been spent.

The complainants also said the SK treasurer could be involved in the alleged irregularity as one of the signatories in the release of funds.

Records show that Barangay Liong has an annual budget of PHP 4.2 million, with 10 percent, or about PHP 400,000, allocated to the SK council.

Each SK kagawad receives a monthly honorarium of PHP 900, equivalent to PHP 3,600 for four months, or a total of PHP 25,000 for all affected kagawads.

Barangay Liong Punong Barangay Michael John Corros said the issue has already been brought to his attention.

He said he advised the kagawads to speak directly with their chairman to clarify the matter and come up with a solution, adding that he is confident the honoraria will be released since the issue does not fall under the election-related budget ban.

Corros also said Cabantug has been actively attending barangay sessions and has implemented projects in the barangay.

Cabantug, for his part, admitted in a recent radio interview that he used the funds.

He said the money was spent on a recent sports event, including the rehabilitation of a board in their basketball court and the purchase of jersey uniforms for players.

“I would like to apologize to my kagawads. My intention is to promote camaraderie among the youth through sports and gain knowledge from the seminar,” Cabantug said.

He also confirmed using part of the budget for a seminar in Boracay and said he is willing to talk to his kagawads and face whatever consequences may arise.

Cabantug further admitted that he failed to call several SK sessions with his kagawads.