Monthly extra stipend for brgy tanods pushed

CEBU, Philippines - The Committee on Budget and Appropriation and the Committee on Laws in Talisay City are separately reviewing on the proposal on providing monthly allowance for barangay tanods or watchmen in the 22 barangays.

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, council presiding officer, wants the committee to render a report on the resolution sponsored by City Councilor Valeriano Ylanan in giving additional monthly allowances to tanods in the amount of P200 on top of the honorarium they are receiving.

Some mountain barangays in the city are reportedly giving the tanods P150 as monthly honorarium.

Ylanan is pushing for the move since according to him, barangay tanods are working on a purely voluntary basis to ensure public safety.

In filing the resolution, the councilor referred to Section 393 of the Local Government Code, which mandates that barangay officials, including barangay tanods, shall receive honoraria, allowances and such other emoluments, as may be authorized by law or ordinance.

"Barangay tanods have critical roles as force multipliers of our law enforcement agencies, risking their lives and limbs to preserve peace and order in the locality. A legitimate tanod is a local volunteer who has been deputized and undergone some training to be a tanod and is carrying out basic security functions under the auspice of the barangay captain," Ylanan said.