Senate advances bill to extend barangay, SK official terms to five years

MANILA — The Senate moved forward Wednesday with legislation to lengthen the tenure of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to five years, advancing the measure through its second reading phase. Senate Bill No. 2397, sponsored by Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero, seeks to modify the current three-year term structure for these local government officials. The chamber's approval came despite vocal opposition from five senators who raised concerns about the proposed amendment. The bill will now proceed to third and final reading before it can be transmitted to the House of Representatives for consideration. The measure represents a significant shift in the electoral cycle for the country's grassroots government units, which have historically operated on shorter three-year terms synchronized with national elections. Proponents of the extension argue that longer tenures would allow barangay and SK officials greater opportunity to implement long-term development projects and programs at the community level. The proposed five-year term would need to be coordinated with the national electoral schedule if approved by both chambers and signed into law.