Cutie pushes for incentives for barangay officials, tanods

CEBU, Philippines – Barangay officials, including tanods and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa and other barangay personnel, will be enjoying incentives and benefits if the proposed bill filed by Cebu City north district Rep. Rachel Marguerite "Cutie" del Mar is approved.

Once it is approved, the House Bill No. 1969 will be known as the "Barangay Incentives Act of 2010."

Under Section 3 of the proposed law, all amounts received by barangay officials, including tanods and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa and barangay personnel is exempted from income tax. These amounts include their salaries wages, compensation, remuneration and other emoluments, such as honoraria and allowances or any benefits that they may receive from government on account of their work or employment.

"Compared to other government employees in local government units, barangay officials and employees are the lowest paid and the least benefited in terms of government employment benefits and privileges," del Mar said.

The neophyte lawmaker acknowledges that barangay officials are the front liners in the implementation of public service.

Under the bill, the barangay officials and employees will be exempted from capital gains and transfer taxes as long as the proceeds of sale, exchange or disposition shall be directly and exclusively used by such officials and employees to acquire a house and lot, not exceeding 500 square meters, for family dwelling.

Also, the barangay officials will have benefits coverage under the Government Service Insurance System, coverage under existing medical and health service programs of government under existing laws and free legal representation in the event that any barangay official or employee is involved as party litigant in any administrative or criminal case as a result of or connected with the performance of his official duties.

"The proposed legislation, in a sense, seeks to give due recognition to the important job being performed by their grassroots workers and to acknowledge the important role being played by the smallest territorial unit and political subdivision of government called the barangay," del Mar said. (THE FREEMAN)