Solon wants 120 percent hike of village execs' salaries

MANILA, Philippines - A Bohol legislator has filed a bill seeking to grant 120-percent increase in the salaries of barangay captains and other village officials.

Under House Bill 198, Rep. Arthur Yap said barangay heads will get P2,200 honorarium per month, 120-percent increase from their previous allowance of P1,000 while Sangguniang Barangay members, treasurer and secretary will get an increase of P1,200 per month from the previous P600.

Yap said the bill seeks to peg the honoraria or allowances of barangay officials at minimum wage levels.

He said  barangay officials perform not just full time but a 24-7 job. They also do not observe holidays and do not have rest days, he added.

"They are serving their constituents with no regard for after office hours and overtime work and no nightshift differential for midnight patrol duty," Yap said.

Yap said with a heavy workload, most of barangay officials can no longer afford to take any other job, adding that, "their source of income or livelihood is the honoraria, allowances and other emoluments they receive as barangay officials."

The legislator said the punong barangay is the chief executive in charge of enforcing all laws and maintaining public order within the barangay.

Yap said the punong barangay is being assisted by members of the Sangguniang Barangay, the legislative body tasked to enact ordinances and promote the general welfare of their constituents.

"Likewise, the barangay treasurer and secretary are also the main work force of the barangay," Yap said.

The bill will amend the provision on salaries under Republic Act 7610 or the Local Government Code.