WHATEVER happened to the proposed legislation seeking a fixed salary for barangay officials? It would have been a big step in recognizing the vital role of those in the frontline of government service in nation-building.
It is just right and proper that our barangay officials are given regular compensation just like other elected officials and state workers. They deserve this for all their sacrifices in serving the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It is a big wonder why, despite their grassroots work, barangay officials are not getting a fixed salary but a mere honorarium based on their village’s share of the Internal Revenue Allotment or IRA.
We recall Senate Bill, No. 124 filed by Sen. Chiz Escudero in 2015 seeking to amend Section 393 of Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code to provide barangay captains a monthly salary which is 20 percent above the minimum wage rate prevailing in their particular region. Under the proposed measure, barangay council members, treasurers and secretaries will receive a monthly salary based on the prevailing minimum wage rate in the region.
At present, a barangay captain is getting an honorarium of at least P1,000 per month while the councilors, the treasurer and secretary each receive at least P600 monthly.
As the most visible faces of government service, our barangay officials deserve to be compensated even more than other officials of the government. They are expected to function above and beyond the normal service hours extended by the government to the people, given the proximity of the barangay to homes and workplaces.
