Proposed bill seeks to strengthen barangay
SEN. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go emphasized the significance of empowering the barangay in order to bring the government closer to the people.
During the general assembly of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas on Wednesday, Go highlighted the necessity to empower barangay officials to ensure that they can provide efficient access to government services.
He said this prompted him to file Senate Bill 197 which, if enacted, would provide a magna carta for barangay.
He also filed SB 427 which seeks to mandate the provision of allowances and incentives for barangay health workers.
Under SB 197, barangay officials will be treated as regular government employees. The Punong Barangay, members of the Sangguniang Barangay, the Sangguniang Kabataan chairman, the barangay secretary and barangay treasurer will be entitled to salaries, emoluments, allowances such as hazard pay, representation and transportation allowance, 13th-month pay and other benefits that regular government employees enjoy.
The Sangguniang Barangay will also be given the authority to determine the appropriate number of barangay tanod needed with permanent status during the administration of the Sangguniang Barangay which appointed them. They will likewise be entitled to honoraria, allowances and other benefits.
Furthermore, if the measure is passed into law, all barangays will enjoy basic priority projects, such as the construction of at least a facility for drawing drinking water for every 1,000 residents; public transportation by asking government agencies to require public utility companies to provide minimum means of transportation; and at least a kindergarten, an elementary school for every barangay and a high school for every 5 kilometers from the barangay center, a health center, and a barangay hall.
Their share from various taxes shall also be directly released to them without the need for further action. All public funds from the National Treasury for the maintenance of barangay roads and bridges and similar construction works should also be transferred to the barangay’s general fund.