Sangguniang Kabataan

A Sangguniang Kabataan (abbreviated as SK; lit. 'youth council') is a community council that represents the youth in a barangay in the Philippines. Established to provide young people with a platform for civic engagement and participation in local governance, the SK is composed of elected officials aged 18 to 24, including a chairperson and several councilors. Its primary mandate is to initiate, plan, and implement programs, projects, and activities that promote the welfare and development of youth within the barangay.

Under the SK Reform Law of 2016, or Republic Act No. 10742, the age requirement for SK officials was raised from 15–17 years old to 18–24 years old to ensure legal accountability and capacity to enter into contracts. Despite this change, the age range for eligible SK voters remains 15–30 years old. The SK is allotted 10 percent of the barangay's annual budget, which is earmarked exclusively for youth development initiatives. These may include leadership training, health services, education programs, livelihood training, and activities promoting civic consciousness and national identity.

The SK has undergone significant reforms to address concerns over political patronage and inefficiency. Notably, its operations were temporarily suspended following the passage of Republic Act No. 10632, which postponed SK elections to allow time for institutional reforms. During this period, barangays were instructed to utilize the SK funds through youth development committees and interim task forces. Despite the suspension of elections, government agencies emphasized that the SK had not been abolished, and youth-oriented programs were expected to continue at the barangay level.

A chairperson leads the Sangguniang Kabataan. A local youth development council composed of representatives from different local youth groups supports the SK and its programs.

The Sangguniang Kabataan is the successor of the Kabataang Barangay (KB; lit. 'village youth') which was abolished by the Local Government Code of 1991. The author, Senator Nene Pimentel, abolished it because of allegations that the organization faced.