ILOILO – Several lawmakers are proposing fixed salaries and other benefits for barangay officials similar to those that regular government employees have.
That is most welcome, according to Dorothy Paes, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay – Iloilo provincial federation.
Barangay officials are the frontliners of the government in implementing programs and projects in communities, stressed Paes.
At present, barangay officials merely receive honoraria. Despite the tedious but crucial grassroots nature of their work, they are not being recognized as regular government employees.
“Yes, I’m in favor of the proposed fixed salaries para well-compensated man ang obra sang mga barangay officials, especially those who really work,” said Paes.
The ongoing coronavirus disease pandemic, she said, highlighted the important work of barangay officials in enforcing national government policies and directives such as imposing lockdowns, distributing food packs and even manning checkpoints.
TCT-CIS party-list’s Cong. Edvic Yap, Jocelyn Tulfo and Jeffrey Soriano; Benguet’s Cong. Eric Yap; Quezon City’s Cong. Ralph Tulfo; and Davao City’s Cong. Paolo Duterte filed House Bill 502, which seeks to provide a fixed salary for barangay officials and declare them as regular government employees to receive just compensation and other benefits that government employees receive.
The lawmakers said the barangay serves as the office of the first resort of the people, and its officials are expected to address a number of issues apart from their regular duties and responsibilities.
“It is high time that our barangay officials be given what is due for them and recognize their vital role in carrying out government activities to the communities,” they said in the bill’s explanatory note.
According to Paes, fixed salaries are better because under the current system, the barangay officials’ honoraria are dependent on the availability barangay funds, which are not generally big.
Barangay Captain Roberto Niño of Calumpang, Molo, Iloilo City and spokesperson of the Liga ng mga Barangay – Iloilo City also hailed the proposed fix salaries.
This will further motivate barangay officials to work well, he said.
According to the proponents in the House, the barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government projects, programs, and policies.
“In fact, most of the national government’s efforts require intervention and support of the barangay as they are the closest form of government to the people,” they said.
Aside from fixed salaries, the bill also provides that barangay officials must be covered by the Government Service Insurance System, PhilHealth, and the Pag-Ibig Fund benefits. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
