House Bill 5245 filed by Valenzuela City Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian seeks to provide barangay captains honoraria, allowances and such other emoluments not less than P5,000 monthly or as may be authorized by law or barangay, municipal or city ordinance in accordance with the provisions of the proposed legislation.
The bill also provides that members of the sangguniang barangay, the Sangguniang Kabataan chairman, the barangay treasurer and the barangay secretary shall receive not less than P3,000 per month in honoraria and allowances, while the barangay tanod and the lupong tagapamayapa shall receive not less than P2,000 per month in benefits.
The measure likewise entitles the members of the punong barangay, as well as the barangay treasurer, the barangay secretary, and the lupong tagapamayapa, to a Christmas bonus of at least P2,000 each, the funds for which shall be taken from the general fund of the barangays or from other such other funds appropriated by the national government for the purpose.
The barangay officials shall also be entitled to hazard duty pay of P1,000 each during their incumbency; representation and transportation allowances of P1,000; productivity incentive bonus of P1,000 and clothing allowance of P1,000 once a year.
Gatchalian said it is high time barangay officials receive additional perks since the benefits they have under the present law are not commensurate with their duties and functions.
He said the role of the barangay is crucial as it is the basic unit where the primary planning and implementation of government programs are effected.
“A microcosm of the government, which by itself is authorized to enact laws, enforce them, as well as exercise judicial functions in its katarungang pambahay duties – the barangay officials are on-call 24/7 for the welfare of its constituency,” Gatchalian said in the bill’s explanatory note.
Under the Local Government Code of 1991, barangay officials are entitled to an honorarium of not less than P1,000 per month for the barangay captain and P600 each per month for the Sangguniang Barangay members, barangay treasurer and barangay secretary. The rates of the honoraria may be increased or adjusted in accordance with the law.
Aside from honorarium, barangay officials are also entitled to Christmas bonuses, insurance coverage under Republic Act 6942 or the Act Increasing the Insurance Coverage of Local Government Officials, and conferment of civil service eligibility, among other perks.
Gatchalian said barangay officials would be better able to serve their constituents if the government if they are better compensated for their hard work.
“If we are to effectively give to the local government units the self-sufficiency that the government envisions, we must be able to provide the conditions conducive to a productive leadership,” he said. — Xianne Arcangel/BM, GMA News
