Mandated but Constrained? A Performance Assessment and Capacity-Building Framework for the Reformed Sangguniang Kabataan in the Philippines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2025.272Keywords:
Capacity enhancement and governance sustainability framework, Local governance, Performance assessment; Sangguniang KabataanAbstract
This study assesses the performance and challenges of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in a city in Bukidnon, Philippines, under the SK Reform Act of 2015 (RA 10742), and proposes a capacity-building framework. Employing a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design, quantitative data from 113 SK officials were collected via surveys, followed by qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions with 20 officials. Results indicated a "Very Satisfactory" overall performance (mean: 4.12, SD: 0.25), with notable achievements in mandated duties, planning, program management, and government engagement. However, lower performance in meeting facilitation, monitoring/reporting, and resolution revealed deficits in administrative and technical competency. Key challenges included resource limitations, capacity gaps, declining youth engagement, and systemic barriers. Addressing these, the study introduces a Capacity Enhancement and Governance Sustainability Framework, a multi-level intervention, integrating individual, institutional, and systemic reforms. This research contributes to empowering young leaders, advancing democratic participation, and fostering effective governance in the Philippines, while also addressing the mandate-resource mismatch prevalent in decentralized governance systems.
Downloads
References
Agranoff, R. (2017). Local governments in multilevel governance: The administrative dimension. Lexington Books.
Alampay, E. (2020). Youth political participation and governance in the Philippines: Five years since the ratification of the SK Reform Law. Philippine Governance Review, 12(3), 45–62.
Ambrocio, J., & Gonzalo, R. (2018). A case study on the effectiveness of Sangguniang Kabataan in the local government. Local Governance Research Institute.
ASEAN Youth Forum. (2022). Youth empowerment in ASEAN: Policies and practices. ASEAN Secretariat. Retrieved from https://www.asean.org
Avolio, B. J., & Bass, B. M. (2004). Multifactor leadership questionnaire: Manual and sampler set (3rd ed.). Mind Garden, Inc.
Balanon, L., Ong, M., Torre, B., Puzon, M., Granada, J. P., Trinidad, A. (2007). The impact of youth participation in the local government process. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/mpmx4swn
Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.
Cabanero, T. J. (2018). Performance challenges of the Sangguniang Kabataan in Luzon: A policy gap analysis. Philippine Journal of Public Administration, 62(2), 45–68.
Carney, J. (2019). Youth leadership development in local governance: A global perspective. Journal of Youth Empowerment, 12(1), 45–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/
Department of the Interior and Local Government. (2020). Capacity development framework for local government units (Memorandum Circular No. 2021-39). Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/dilg2020
Department of the Interior and Local Government. (2023). Guidelines on local youth development allocation (Memorandum Circular No. 2023-001). Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/dilg2023
Flores, R., Santos, P., & Lim, M. (2022). Youth political participation and governance in the Philippines: Five years since the ratification of the SK Reform Law. Asian Politics & Policy, 14(1), 112–130. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4024887
Garong, A. (2022). Post-pandemic fiscal constraints in Philippine barangays: Implications for youth programs. Local Government Studies, 48(4), 567–585.
Kane, L. (2008). Civic engagement and the role of youth in local governance: Best practices from developing nations. Youth Policy Journal, 15(3), 210–227.
National Youth Commission. (2020). Capacity building toolbox for emerging youth groups. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/nyc2020
OECD. (2021). Youth and democratic participation in the digital era. OECD Publishing. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1787/3e8f5a7a-en
Ostrom, E. (1990). Governing the commons: The evolution of institutions for collective action. Cambridge University Press.
Ostrom, E. (2009). Understanding institutional diversity. Princeton University Press.
Philippine Statistics Authority. (2020). Philippine youth in numbers: A statistical profile. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/psa2020
Rey, M. L. A., & Espiritu, J. Q. (2023). Participation and performance of Sangguniang Kabataan in local governance in the Province of Marinduque: Basis for program implementation. International Journal of Arts, Sciences and Education, 4(1), 119-148. https://www.mail.ijase.org/index.php/ijase/article/view/223
Restrepo, M. (2023). Youth councils in Latin America: Lessons from Colombia's Consejos Municipales de Juventud. Journal of Youth Studies, 26(4), 512–530. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2023.1987654
Schedler, A., & Santiso, C. (1998). Democracy and accountability: Political institutions in democratic consolidation. Journal of Democracy, 9(3), 15–30. https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.1998.0040
Sen, A. (1999). Development as freedom. Oxford University Press.
Teehankee, J. (2016). The Sangguniang Kabataan reform: Institutionalizing youth participation or elite capture? Philippine Political Science Journal, 37(2), 89105. https://doi.org/10.1080/01154451.2016.1198076
United Nations. (2022). Global report on youth participation in public affairs. UN Youth Office. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/unyouth2022
World Bank. (2021). Youth and governance: Strategies for effective participation in developing countries. World Bank Publications. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1763-2
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
