The Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials in Cebu City are facing increased scrutiny over allegations of administrative neglect and financial mismanagement. The City Council recently referred separate administrative complaints against the youth councils of Barangays Labangon and Duljo-Fatima to the committee on youth and the SK Federation. These complaints involve allegations of unliquidated funds and skipped public assemblies, prompting councilors to push for stricter governance standards. The controversies put the political future and city funding of youth leaders at stake.
Leadership Disputes in Labangon
The Labangon SK is under intense scrutiny over leadership failures and a lack of transparency. A formal complaint filed by a concerned citizen and several youth councilors seeks an investigation into SK Chairman Kim Kyle Buendia. The allegations detail a failure to conduct the mandatory Katipunan ng Kabataan assemblies for 2025 and a complete absence of fund liquidation reports. Complainants also cited his frequent absences from official sessions. Public concern escalated further after a controversial trip to Thailand involving several youth officials raised online criticism regarding the lack of local projects, though the council maintains the travel was privately funded.
Duljo-Fatima Financial Concerns
Similar accountability issues have emerged in Duljo-Fatima, where youth councilors are demanding clarity on financial status. Several council members have requested a formal inquiry into their local budget, alleging they have not received complete financial documents since 2024. They further claimed that significant spending activities occurred without proper consultation or official supporting resolutions. They are particularly concerned about the liquidation of a youth fund worth about P1.5 million. This prompted the City Council to refer the matter to the committee on youth and sports development and the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Cebu City.
Proposed Reforms
These complaints have accelerated efforts from the City Council to reform the youth governance system. Councilor Michelle Abella-Cellona has proposed an ordinance requiring mandatory leadership and financial management training for all elected youth officials. Under this proposed ordinance, youth leaders who fail to complete these programs will temporarily lose access to city-funded projects, financial incentives, official recognition, and endorsements. The measure also aims to establish a specialized governance council to evaluate performance and enforce compliance with Republic Act (RA) 10742, also known as the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015.
Impact on Accountability
The outcome of these investigations will determine whether the current mechanisms under RA 10742 are sufficient to deter misconduct. If the proposed ordinance passes, youth councils across Cebu City will face unprecedented oversight, including mandatory performance reviews and potential fund suspensions. For the public, these disputes highlight the need for active citizenship and regular monitoring of local government expenditures. The City Council has ordered the youth committee to submit its initial findings on the complaints within the coming weeks.
