Chained Autonomy: A Qualitative Study of Bond-Related Barriers and Capacity Constraints in the Reformed Sangguniang Kabataan

This qualitative study examines the barriers to fiscal autonomy faced by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in Malaybalay City, Philippines, under the 2015 SK Reform Act (RA 10742). Despite legal provisions for youth empowerment, rigid national fiduciary requirements, such as complex bonding rules under the Public Bonding Law, Fidelity Bonding Process, Local Government Code (RA 7160), and other executive orders create significant delays, with 91% of barangays reporting an average 2-year lag in achieving fiscal autonomy. The study highlights a systemic mismatch between these requirements and the capacities of young officials, as 93% of SK Treasurers lack the legal and financial literacy to navigate the processes. Through interviews and comparative analysis of ASEAN youth governance models, the research identifies coping strategies, such as reliance on Punong Barangays, and proposes reforms like tiered bonding and age-sensitive exemptions. The findings underscore the need for policy adaptations to align implementation frameworks with the realities of youth governance, ensuring the SK system fulfills its promise of empowerment.