Barangay officials urged: Be frontliners in development

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay officials are told to be frontliners in genuine local development as the Senate works on several measures that would further empower community leaders. 

This was the statement of Senator Loren Legarda when she presented her legislative initiatives before the general assembly of Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas held recently.

Legarda said that there are pending laws in the Senate that seek what is rightful and just to barangay officials and to the communities they serve.

“Through these measures, barangay leaders will be better compensated, and hopefully, will be better motivated and continue to be proactive and productive leaders in the country,” Legarda said.

She said these proposed laws will also give what is due to every barangay to address the basic concerns of the community and to promote genuine development.

Among the proposed measures is the Magna Carta for Barangays (Senate Bill 1336), which seeks to recognize barangay officials as regular  government employees with fixed salaries, allowances, insurance, and other benefits that a regular government employee  is entitled to. 

This measure also aims to provide barangays with basic necessities such as regular supply of clean and potable water, public transportation, schools, health centers and barangay halls; allow the automatic release of share from national taxes; and ensure that barangays have a share in taxes, fees and other charges, among others. 

Barangay Security Development Officers will be granted hazard pay under Senate Bill 1341; and will receive increased benefits, incentives, and assistance such as free legal services from government lawyers in responding to cases filed against them in the performance of their duties. 

Likewise, Barangay Health Workers will be provided with an adequate health insurance program under Senate Bill 1340. 

“In relation to providing health care to our citizens, we have also filed Senate Bill 1384 that seeks to mandate the Department of Health to ensure that every barangay has at least one health worker, who must be given honorarium and other benefits aside from their salary,” Legarda said. 

As they work on these measures in the Senate, Legarda encouraged barangay leaders to translate national policies, plans and programs into concrete and visible actions for the people.

“These efforts will have to start at the barangay level and must be conveyed to their city or municipality officials,” she added. — (FREEMAN)