In recognition of their function as direct providers of public service to the citizens, Acting Senate President Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is seeking an increase of monthly monetary compensation for barangay officials.
Sen. Estrada filed Senate Bill 134 to further amend Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 to provide additional support and afford higher honorarium for barangay officials, including barangay tanods, appointed barangay officers, Sangguniang Barangay members, and Lupong Tagapamayapa.
Section 393 (a) of RA 7160 defines the benefits of barangay officials and prescribes that they shall receive honoraria, allowances, and such other emoluments as may be authorized by law or barangay, municipal or city ordinance, but in no case shall it be less than:
a) P1,000 per month for the Punong Barangay
b) P600 per month for the Sangguniang Barangay members, barangay treasurer and barangay secretary
In introducing Senate Bill 134 as part of his priority measures, Sen. Estrada moves to increase the prescribed minimum compensation to 8,000 pesos for Punong Barangay, 7,000 pesos for the Sangguniang Barangay members, 6,000 pesos for barangay treasurer and secretary, 5,000 pesos for the barangay tanod and Lupong Tagapamayapa.
“Barangay officials are considered to be the guardians and frontliners in the implementation of policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community. The Barangay Chairman is the only official in the country that performs a tripartite task of being the executive, legislative and the judiciary, notwithstanding the help of his kagawads. As for the Barangay Tanods, they are considered to be frontliners of the Philippine National Police in its campaign against criminalities,” Jinggoy points out.
The proposed legislation likewise seeks to create a position of a barangay health worker as part of the barangay office setup. The said health worker shall be appointed by the Punong Barangay and shall receive the same remuneration as a barangay tanod.
Moreover, SB 134 seeks to extend the benefits such as Christmas bonus, insurance coverage, free medical care (including medicines and medical attendance in government hospitals), and exemption from payment of tuition and matriculation fees of their children, provided to the Punong Barangay and Sangguniang Barangay members to include barangay tanods, Lupong Tagapamayapa and barangay health workers.
Lastly, Sen. Estrada bats for increased limit for health subsidy from nearest private clinic or hospital from 5,000 pesos to 10,000 pesos in case of extreme urgency where there is no available government hospital.
“I believe it is time to update the meager remuneration received by our barangay officials for their important services to the community. The rates have remained unchanged for 22 years since 1991,” Sen. Estrada explains.
“During the previous 15th Congress, I have also proposed that our barangay tanod brigades be given hazard pay in the amount of 1,000 per month, and our barangay officials be made salaried government employees thus making them eligible for membership and loan and retirement benefits from the GSIS. I am also planning to re-file these measures in this 16th Congress,” Jinggoy adds.
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