House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III on Thursday pushed for the passage of long-overdue measures establishing a Magna Carta for Barangays, stressing that barangay officials are the true frontliners of government and deserve dignity, protection, and stronger institutional support.
Speaking before the House Committee on Local Government-Subcommittee on Local Officials and Personnel, Dy thanked its members for working overtime to advance the proposed Magna Carta, including House Bill No. 3533, which he authored.
He said the measure is rooted in both personal experience—having started his public service career as a former barangay captain—and a clear understanding of how governance works at the community level.
Drawing from his experience as a former mayor and governor, Dy emphasized that barangay officials are the first responders and first point of contact during crises—often the first to arrive and the last to leave.
“Sila ang unang nilalapitan kapag may problema, unang kumikilos kapag may krisis, at kadalasan, sila rin ang huling umaalis kapag tapos na ang problema (They are the first to be approached when there is a problem, the first to act when there is a crisis, and often, they are also the last to leave when the problem is over),” he said.
The seasoned lawmaker from Isabela underscored the breadth of responsibilities carried by barangay officials, noting that in practice they function as the executive, legislative, and judiciary all rolled into one.
According to Dy, barangay officials in communities around the country implement government programs, craft ordinances through the sangguniang barangay, mediate disputes through the Katarungang Pambarangay, and serve as partners in peacekeeping and law enforcement. No other level of government, he said, is as close to the daily lives of ordinary Filipinos.
The Speaker also highlighted the indispensable role barangay officials played during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they enforced health protocols, delivered assistance, and remained in their communities despite risks to their own safety.
“During COVID, our barangay officials saved us,” he emphasized.
The proposed Magna Carta seeks to improve compensation and benefits for barangay captains, council members or ‘kagawad,’ SK officials, and barangay personnel; ensure the availability of basic services and facilities such as barangay halls and health centers; and strengthen the barangay as an institution so it can more effectively fulfill its role as the country’s primary unit of governance.
“This bill is about giving our barangay leaders the dignity and recognition they deserve,” Dy said, stressing that barangay officials are not merely implementers of policy but vital partners in solving the country’s most pressing problems.
“Kapag pinalakas natin ang barangay, mas nararamdaman ng taumbayan ang gobyerno (When we strengthen the barangay, the people feel better about the government).”
Dy expressed optimism that with the support of the committee, the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays can be advanced in the 20th Congress, describing it as a measure that serves the barangay, the community, and the vision of Bagong Pilipinas.
