Garcia to hike stipend of barangay workers

CEBU, Philippines — Barangay workers in Cebu may soon have a reason to celebrate as the administration of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is planning to increase their honoraria.

From P1,500 a year, Garcia is proposing to increase the stipend of barangay tanods to P3,000 a year, while the honorarium of barangay health workers, nutrition scholars and barangay animal health aides will be increased to P4,000.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, the returning governor said the planned increase is her way of making good one of her campaign promises to the barangay frontliners.

“Ako ni ihatag apil sa akong saad. Akong ihatag December aron duna silay magamit nga pamasko (I will give it to them as promised. I will give it to them in December so they can have something to use for Christmas),” Garcia said.

The governor pointed out the crucial role of the barangay workers in the delivery of basic services.

“As I address the much-needed infrastructure, whether it be roads, bridges or water system, we are also focusing on helping our frontliners, kadto gyud nga mas nagkinahanglan ron nga nagtabang sa provincial government (especially those who are really helping the provincial government),” she said.

It was Garcia’s government that started the distribution of honorarium to barangay workers, a move continued by the administration of Hilario Davide III. (FREEMAN)