SK Iloilo prexy backs eligibility rule for youth officials

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Iloilo City President Jelma Crystel Implica on Wednesday, Oct. 8, defended the civil service eligibility now granted to SK officials, saying they are “deserving” of recognition for their service.

Implica welcomed the development and said she was happy that youth leaders in the city who strive to be responsible and accountable are finally being acknowledged through this eligibility.

She also noted that her office has not received any complaints about non-performing or underperforming SK officials in the city.

“Now that the Civil Service Commission has a resolution on civil service eligibility for SK officials, I am happy because we know our SK [officials] are trying their best to provide service to the Ilonggo youth here in Iloilo City,” Implica said.

She acknowledged, however, that there have been lukewarm reactions both online and offline, particularly over concerns about the performance of some SK officials.

“We cannot avoid reactions, especially from the barangays, because there are SK [officials] that are not performing,” she said.

“We need to work that out before they can be given eligibility; if possible, we need to assess, because one of the requirements is that the SK official needs to be in good standing.”

The CSC earlier released Resolution No. 2500752, or the Rules Governing the Grant of Eligibility to SK Officials, which outlines the policy on granting SK officials a civil service eligibility.

Under the new rules, SK officials will be granted first-level civil service eligibility, except for positions that require special eligibility or licenses, and the granted status will be known as “Sangguniang Kabataan Official Eligibility” (SKOE).

Eligible individuals include elected SK chairpersons, as well as SK secretaries and treasurers who are appointed by the chairperson from among members of the Katipunan ng Kabataan and approved by a majority of the SK council.

The resolution was promulgated on July 24, 2025, and officially took effect on Oct. 5, following its publication in the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Philippine Star on Sept. 19.

The legal basis for the resolution is Republic Act 11768, which amended the SK Reform Act of 2015 (RA 10742) to include civil service eligibility among the benefits granted to SK officials.

Missing SK chairperson under probe

One SK official in Iloilo City who may not qualify for eligibility is Joshua Jacinto of Barangay M.V. Hechanova in Jaro, who has reportedly been missing since July.

Barangay Captain Nestor Ledesma told GMA Iloilo’s One Western Visayas that Jacinto left a letter on his desk and has not returned since, adding that he has been unreachable by phone and allegedly blocked his parents on social media.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)–Iloilo City office is currently investigating Jacinto’s withdrawal of PHP 430,000 from the SK barangay account.

Under Section 18 of Republic Act 10742, SK chairpersons who are absent for four consecutive Sangguniang Barangaysessions or fail to convene regular SK meetings for three consecutive months may face sanctions.

Penalties for such violations, to be determined by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Iloilo City, include suspension of up to six months or removal from office.