BCLP optimistic Congress will approve HB 95

CEBU, Philippines - The Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines is hopeful that House Bill No. 95 seeking barangay officials’ exemption from income taxes will be passed in congress in no time.

The BCLP – National Executive Committee, now headed by Kasambagan Councilman Franklyn Ong as the National President, assured that consistent follow-ups are being done by the group to make sure that the bill will be passed into law.

HB 95 is authored by Cebu first district Representative Eduardo Gullas. It seeks additional benefits to barangay officials and employees who are the frontliners of the government.

“Our barangay officials are the frontliners. They make democracy at the grassroots level,” Gullas said.

The bill seeks to exempt the salaries, wages, compensation, remuneration and other benefits of barangay officials including tanods and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa from income taxation.

Marlon Austria, BCLP National Secretary General said that barangay officials indeed deserve to be exempted from income taxes since they do not receive salaries, but only honoraria.

He said the exemption will be a great help to them since barangay officials receive honoraria way lower than a lowest-ranking government employee receives.

Section 4 of the bill also seeks to exempt the barangay officials from capital gains and other national taxes for the sale, exchange or disposition of their real properties.

The exemption from capital gains however shall only be applicable, according to the bill, if the sale, exchange of disposition shall be directly and exclusively used by the officials to acquire house and lot not exceeding 500 square meters for dwelling.

Aside from tax exemption, HB 95 seeks to provide additional benefits to the barangay workers. Section 5 proposed that all barangay officials be enrolled as members of the Government Service Insurance System and be covered with life insurance, retirement, disability, separation and unemployment benefits subject to limitations provided by law.

The bill also wants health benefits to barangay officials and employees and free legal services at the Public Attorney’s Office. —/FPL (FREEMAN)