The Bohol Sangguniang Kabataan Federation will hold fundraising activities to pay unliquidated balances from the previous administration, preventing the youth council from accessing provincial government funds.
SK Federation President Lawrence Xavier Ancla said unsettled balances block the organization from receiving money meant for youth programs and projects.
Federation members agreed to raise funds themselves to clear the debt, Ancla said.
He declined to specify the amount owed or provide details about the planned fundraising activities.
“The succeeding SK officials will no longer carry the burden,” Ancla said, adding he wants future leaders to avoid being denied funding access.
The funds in question should have supported programs for Bohol’s youth population.
SK Corruption in the Philippines
The Sangguniang Kabataan, or SK, serves as the youth governing body in Philippine barangays for citizens aged 15-30.
Corruption allegations have plagued the SK system for decades.
Common issues include:
Unliquidated funds: Officials fail to provide receipts or documentation for money spent, making it impossible to verify if public funds were used properly. This often triggers fund freezes for subsequent administrations.
Misuse of funds: Money designated for youth progr inams gets diverted to personal expenses or non-youth activities.
The Commission on Audit regularly flags SK units nationwide for financial irregularities.
In 2018, lawmakers nearly abolished the SK entirely due to widespread corruption before opting for reforms instead, including anti-dynasty provisions and stricter financial oversight.
SK councils remain vulnerable to mismanagement due to officials’ limited experience with government accounting procedures and insufficient monitoring mechanisms.