New Eligibility Framework for Sangguniang Kabataan Officials
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has announced a significant policy shift that opens civil service eligibility to elected and appointed Sangguniang Kabataan Officials (SKOs) under specific conditions. This move, encapsulated in CSC Resolution No. 2500752, aims to recognize the vital role of the youth in nation-building and to provide a formal pathway for young leaders to advance to government service.
Under the new rules, SKOs who have completed a full three-year term of office or its equivalent, and who are in good standing, may be considered for eligibility. The Sangguniang Kabataan Official Eligibility (SKOE) is deemed appropriate for first-level positions in the career service, with certain exceptions for posts governed by other laws or requiring special eligibilities.
CSC Chairperson Atty. Marilyn B. Yap emphasized that the SKOE is a privilege granted exclusively to duly elected and appointed SKOs. “Through the SKOE, we empower young leaders to pursue careers in government and continue their service to the Filipino people,” she said.
Who Qualifies for SKOE?
The CSC clarifies that SKOE coverage applies to SKOs who were in office when Republic Act No. 11768, or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015, took effect on June 1, 2022. Those who served as SKOs from 2018 to 2022 and completed their full term are eligible as well. This ensures continuity for individuals who have already been active in youth governance during the reform period.
Both elective and appointive SKOs may qualify, including SK members elected by the Katipunan ng Kabataan (KK) and SK secretaries and treasurers appointed by the SK chairperson with the concurrence of the majority of SK members. It is important to note that SK chairpersons remain covered under Barangay Official Eligibility (BOE) rather than SKOE, as governed by Batas Pambansa Blg. 337 (repealed by the Local Government Code of 1991).
Application Window and Process
Qualified SKOs may apply for SKOE beginning on 4 October 2025—the effective date of CSC Resolution No. 2500752. Applications should be filed with the CSC Regional Office (RO) that has jurisdiction over the barangay where the applicant rendered service. Alternatively, applications can be submitted through any CSC RO or Field Office near the applicant’s current residence or workplace, which will act as the conduit for receiving SKOE applications and issuing certificates if granted.
The CSC notes that SKOE provides a formal recognition of youth leadership and offers a tangible route for SKOs to transition into government roles. This aligns with broader efforts to diversify the workforce and bring fresh perspectives into public service, while ensuring that eligible SKOs meet the standards and qualifications required for civil service careers.
Implications for Youth in Public Service
With SKOE, young leaders who have dedicated years to local governance can leverage civil service eligibility to pursue a wide range of first-level positions. The policy not only validates the time and effort invested by SKOs but also supports long-term career trajectories within government agencies, universities, and other public institutions that recruit at the entry level.
As the Philippines continues to reform youth governance and streamline public service pathways, the SKOE offers a concrete mechanism to retain talented SKOs in public life. Stakeholders—parents, educators, and local government units—can view this development as a signal that youth leadership is a valued component of national development.
What This Means for Local Communities
Local communities stand to benefit from having SK-O takers who bring firsthand experience of youth concerns into the civil service. With the SKOE, barangay-level governance and youth programs may gain greater continuity and institutional memory, potentially improving service delivery and policy implementation at the grassroots level.
