Lawmaker wants GSIS coverage for brgy officials

CEBU, Philippines - To augment the compensation and benefits of barangay officials, a lawmaker wants them to be included in the coverage of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). 

Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casino, who was in Cebu recently, said that he filed House Bill 5637 which seeks to provide pension benefits for the barangay officials.

Casino pointed out that the inclusion of grassroots officials in the GSIS coverage “will serve as a token merit for the untold sacrifices and dedications of the thousands of barangay officials.”

“The barangay officials remain unrecognized government employees despite the fact that barangay councils serve as the nearest link of the people to the government, thus depriving them of the benefits that government employees enjoy,” Casino said.

Under the bill, it specified that barangay officials who will be included in the GSIS coverage are the Punong Barangay, Barangay Kagawads, Barangay Secretary and the Barangay Treasurer.

Based on the Local Government Code of 1991, barangay officials are compensated in the form of an honorarium of an amount not less than P1,000 per month for the Punong Barangay and P600 each per month for the Sangguniang Barangay members, barangay Treasurer and Secretary, which may be increased or adjusted.

The said bill also expands the coverage of the GSIS by including barangay officials as members so that they can avail of its pension benefits.

The bill further provides that the GSIS, in consultation and coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the league representing barangay captains and officials, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the law.

The rules and regulations also cover the rate of premiums and the manner of its payment including the extent of insurance coverage, contributions to be collected from barangay officials and the possible contributions of provinces, cities, municipalities or other possible funds.

Even if the honoraria has an equivalent salary grade, they will continue to receive compensation as specified in Section 393 of R. A. 7160 which states that “barangay officials shall only receive honoraria, allowances and other emoluments.” — (FREEMAN)