The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a bill seeking to extend the term of office of barangay officials and members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) to five years.

“House Bill number 10971 is now approved. As amended, it's now approved for second reading,” the House announced.

The House Bill, as amended, seeks to amend Republic Act No. 12232, which currently provides for a four-year term for barangay and SK officials.

Under the proposed measure, elected barangay and SK officials would serve five-year terms. Barangay officials would also be limited to two consecutive terms.

Those currently serving their third consecutive term would no longer be eligible to run for the same position in the 2028 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The bill also sets the next BSKE on the second Monday of November 2028 as part of the transition to the five-year term. Subsequent barangay and SK elections would then be held every five years.

Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javi Benitez also introduced an amendment providing that unused appropriations for the conduct of barangay and SK elections would remain available to the Commission on Elections for preparatory activities for the 2028 national and local elections and other lawful expenditures as determined by the commission.

“Any expended balances of the appropriations authorized for the conduct of the Barangay and Sangudinang Kabataan elections shall be deemed continuing appropriation of the Commission on Elections,” Benitez said.

“It shall remain available as a funding source to cover the preparatory activities for the national and local elections of 2028 and such other lawful expenditures and purposes as may be determined by the Commission,” the lawmaker added.

The proposed changes are not yet final. The bill must still secure approval on third reading in the House, undergo consideration in the Senate and be signed into law before taking effect.