Ordinance imposing rent for gov’t facilities okayed

Barangays in Mandaue City are allowed to impose fees and charges for services rendered in connection with the regulation or use of barangay-owned properties or service facilities.

This was according to the Mandaue City Council committee on laws and ordinance as it approved the Barangay Paknaan ordinance imposing rental and service fees for barangayowned facilities such as ambulance, gymnasium, function room and roof top space of the multi-purpose building.

The committee, headed by councilor Nilo Seno, said the barangay ordinance is a proper exercise of the barangay’s power to create its own sources of revenue.

Under the Local Government Code, barangays have the power to create their own sources of revenue, although such power is not absolute as the code itself provides for certain limitations.

Under the ordinance, ambulance vehicles will be charged P300 but it will only be limited to the cities of Mandaue and Cebu. Another service fee will be charged to the patient if ever they want to be transported again once they are discharged from the hospital where they got admitted.

A rental fee of P250 will be charged for the nighttime use of the barangay gymnasium and P200 for daytime use. An amount of P200 will also be charged for the use of the function room and roof top space of the barangay.

“The fees as fixed in the barangay ordinance are likewise reasonable in accordance with the mandate of the Local Government Code,” Seno said.

Seno added that the barangay passed the ordinance, which been seconded en masse by the members of the barangay, indicating the desire of the entire body to seek the enactment of the measure.

“This committee declares to be operative,” Seno added.

Under the Local Government Code, the barangay cannot just implement its ordinance until such time there is an approval from the City Council.

Among the duties of the City Council, according to Section 458 of the Local Government Code of 1991, is to review all ordinances and executive orders issued by barangay captains.

Garry B. Lao/NSA

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