Bill allots 5% of barangay general fund for elderly

MANILA, Philippines - Seven lawmakers are pushing for a bill that will mandate all barangays to allocate five percent of their general fund for the programs, projects and activities of senior citizens.

Reps. Celso Lobregat (Zamboanga City), Rodel Batocabe (AKO Bicol party-list) and Francisco Calalay (first district, Quezon City) filed House Bill 2314 amending for the purpose Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.

Lobregat and Calalay said senior citizens have contributed much to the country and have spent the best and most productive years of their lives in the service of the nation.

“They (senior citizens) belong to a special sector that needs our attention to promote the social, economic and spiritual aspects of their lives and to allow them to convey their ideals and aspirations,” Calalay said.

Batocabe also reiterated in his bill that senior citizens need to be provided with available means to participate in and contribute to nation building.

“The sector comprising the elderly deserves to be given all the assistance they need to be active members of the community during the remaining years of their lives,” he added.

Section 2 of HB 2314 says “all the income of the barangay from whatever source shall accrue to its general fund and shall, at the option of the barangay concerned, be kept as trust fund in the custody of the city or municipal treasurer or be deposited in a bank, preferably government owned situated nearest to its area of jurisdiction.”

Reps. Winston Castelo (Quezon City), Gus Tambunting (Parañaque City), Ma. Theresa Bonoan (Manila) and Juliette Uy (Misamis) co-authored the bill now pending with the House committee on local government.