"It is disheartening that given the significant role they play, they only receive allowances, honoraria and other emoluments as compensation."
"It is disheartening that given the significant role they play, they only receive allowances, honoraria and other emoluments as compensation."Our barangay workers are probably one of the most under-appreciated and under-compensated public servants. Barangay workers, composed of the barangay tanods, barangay secretary, barangay treasurer, the barangay officials, including barangay health workers, are at the forefront of public service at the grassroots level. The national government relies heavily on the barangay for the delivery of public services, implementation of government programs, maintenance of peace and order, and promotion and protection of the welfare of the members of the community.
Whether it is simple neighborhood disputes, sudden water shortage or power outage, road obstructions, trespassing violations, accidents, and crimes witnessed—barangay officials are expected to address these concerns and make referrals to the appropriate agencies. They are the first responders in times of emergencies, disease outbreaks, natural calamities, and disasters, especially in far-flung and remote areas. We count on them to facilitate distribution of relief goods and other government aid handed down to the local government units.
It is disheartening that given the significant role they play, they only receive allowances, honoraria and other emoluments as compensation. Moreover, they do not have pension benefits from GSIS, except for burial benefits. Present laws provide that aside from the honoraria, the other benefits granted to them are Christmas cash gifts as authorized, insurance coverage under RA 6942, medical care consisting of free hospitalizations in government hospitals, free tuition and matriculation fees, preference of appointment to any government position, and conferment of civil service eligibility based on the number of years. Apparently, their remuneration would not suffice for their daily household expenditures, and is not commensurate for the amount of work they render.
In the 17th Congress, I filed House Bill No. 598 or the Barangay Pension bill, which amends the Local Government Code of 1991, particularly the provisions on the allocation of the internal revenue taxes and the benefits of barangay officials. The bill intended to increase the share of the local government units in the internal revenue taxes to forty-one percent (41 percent), with the one percent increase dedicated to a barangay retirement fund. While it did not come to fruition, thankfully, now Third District Bondoc Peninsula Representative, Congresswoman Aleta Suarez, re-filed the bill. She also filed other measures such as the Magna Carta for Barangays and a measure standardizing the compensation for Barangay Health Workers. Today, the Congressional committee deliberations for these measures have started.
Six months as Governor of Quezon Province, I see the valuable support of the barangays in the implementation of our local programs. It is only proper that we give them fair pay for their hard work. The laws which established their compensation have not kept up with the prevailing economic conditions and changes in social roles. This renders existing legislation unresponsive and not suitable to present living conditions. Hence, I urge our lawmakers to pass these measures. Barangay workers spend their lives serving the people, putting their interests first. The government, in turn, should give back by putting the interests of our barangay workers first, too.