PRESIDENT Marcos is expected to sign into law next week (August 12, according to Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia III) a bill postponing the December 2025 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections to the first Monday of November 2026. The bill would extend the term of local officials from three to four years. While this decision may invite criticism, it is both reasonable and timely.
The most recent barangay and SK elections were held only on October 30, 2023, after a five-year delay and three postponements. With the next elections originally set for December 2025, the current officials would have barely completed two years in office, not nearly enough time to implement programs or leave a meaningful legacy.
Barangay officials are not symbolic leaders. They handle peacekeeping, mediate local disputes, manage health and welfare efforts, and respond during emergencies. The premature replacement of leaders after only two years could disrupt public service delivery, especially in rural areas that depend heavily on barangay governance.
From a financial perspective, delaying elections makes sense. Nationwide elections cost billions of pesos. In a time of economic recovery and high demand for social services, reallocating these funds toward education, infrastructure, or disaster preparedness is both logical and responsible.
Extending the term to four years through this legislation also brings more coherence to our governance structure. It promotes continuity and allows local leaders to pursue longer-term initiatives. It also gives voters a better chance to evaluate performance over time.
Critics say frequent postponements erode democratic principles. This concern is valid, but context matters. The current officials were only recently elected in 2023, and this delay isn’t indefinite. The new target, November 2026, provides a reasonable window while still respecting electoral cycles.
Again, this is not about curtailing democracy. It’s about making democracy work better at the grassroots. With longer, more stable terms, barangay and SK officials can lead more effectively, and communities stand to benefit.
Let’s allow these local leaders the time they need to serve well.
