Stop postponing barangay, SK polls: Reform the system
The debate over the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) has become an exercise in avoidance. Congress schedules the elections, postpones them, extends incumbents’ terms and starts the cycle again.
Instead of debating another postponement, lawmakers should ask a more consequential question: Does the Philippines still need the BSKE in its present form?
Malacañang estimated that not holding the scheduled elections could save approximately P16 billion. The Commission on Elections estimates have varied depending on how the polls would be conducted, with fully automated elections potentially costing more.
In a country where families delay medical treatment, students lack essential learning resources, and workers struggle with transportation costs, that expenditure deserves closer scrutiny.
Congress should study abolishing the BSKE, professionalizing barangay administration and redirecting every peso of savings toward essential services. As a starting point, P8 billion could support universal health care, P4.8 billion strengthen K-12 education, and P3.2 billion improve public transportation and reduce fares.
Filipinos would benefit more from properly equipped classrooms, civic education, and meaningful community service than from a miniature political system that too often reproduces the weaknesses of national politics.
The transportation allocation could expand service contracting, under which government compensates participating operators for providing reliable services at reduced or subsidized fares. This is preferable to an unfunded fare freeze that could harm drivers and operators.
Abolishing the BSKE must not mean abandoning barangay communities. Barangay offices perform important functions, including issuing certifications, settling disputes, coordinating assistance, and responding to emergencies.
Those services could continue through professional, merit-based community offices supervised by cities and municipalities. Citizen advisory councils could preserve grassroots participation and represent neighborhoods, young people, women, senior citizens, and other sectors. Their budgets, recommendations, and performance should be publicly disclosed.
Barangays are constitutionally recognized political subdivisions, and local autonomy must be protected. Congress cannot merely cancel elections and leave incumbents in office indefinitely. Any restructuring would require careful legislation, constitutional review, and meaningful public consultation.
The savings must also be stated honestly. Part of the election budget may already have been spent, and professional community offices would still require funding. The argument is not that abolishing the BSKE would eliminate every barangay expense, but that the country could avoid recurring election costs, reduce political overhead and redirect future savings toward measurable services.
Congress should pursue permanent reform rather than another temporary postponement. Stop postponing the BSKE. Reform it out of existence and invest the savings in the Filipino people.
Manny Ilao,
Manny.Ilao@yahoo.com
