Iloilo city: The Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council) here will conduct an investigation in aid of legislation on the widespread non-compliance of timely submission of financial budgetary documents and annual development plans of barangays and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councils. The council approved the resolution authored by Majority Floor Leader, Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia, who delivered a privilege speech titled 'The Ugly Truth about the Barangay-SK Budgetary Crisis' during the regular session on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, Sarabia highlighted the serious budgetary crisis affecting barangays and SK councils, describing it as the worst kind conceivable. He referenced data from the Iloilo City Budget and Accounting Offices, revealing that only 12 out of 180 barangays have approved operative 2026 annual budgets, while 33 have no approved budgets for 2025. For the SK council, only two have approved 2026 annual budgets, with 94 lacking budgets for 2025. As of the fourth week of February, 168 barangays are operating under a reenacted budget.
Sarabia explained that when barangays and SK councils fail to pass their annual budgets, they are restricted to mandatory and essential operational expenses under a reenacted budget. This situation results in no new programs, projects, capital outlays, or salary increases, severely affecting social services and the effective use of taxpayers' money.
He emphasized that the issue extends beyond procedural non-compliance, with the Ilonggos experiencing significant losses in unrealized programs and projects, amounting to hundreds of millions of pesos. Both past and current administrations have attempted to address the ongoing problems, with former Mayor Jerry Tre±as establishing a technical committee and incumbent Mayor Raisa Tre±as planning to initiate a barangay academy complete with relevant workshops and lectures.
Sarabia asserted the necessity for the city council to pass a barangay budgetary reform ordinance, suggesting the establishment of a permanent technical group proficient in finance, accounting, and government procedures to assist barangay officials and ensure compliance.
Meanwhile, SK Federation President Jelma Crystel Implica clarified that their Local Youth Investment Plan is reviewed by multiple offices before endorsement. According to their records, 103 SK development plans were reviewed, endorsed, and approved by the city council in 2025, while 40 await endorsement for 2026. Implica noted that the SK budget constitutes 10 percent of the barangay budget.
Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Ma. Irene Ong, admitted that barangay officials frequently face delays. Ong mentioned that last year, 15 barangays lacked development plans, and this year the number has increased due to the challenging requirement of a six-year development plan. The Liga president indicated a need for a standardized template to aid in the preparation process.
