IPINUPURSIGE ni Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada ang pagkakaloob ng dagdag na benepisyo at tulong sa mga barangay captain sa buong bansa sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang iniakdang Senate Bill 2600 (Additional Barangay Captains’ Insurance Act of 2015).
Aniya, “Ang mga barangay captain ay aktibo sa community governance at serbisyo publiko. At gumaganap ng napakaraming responsibilidad tulad ng peace-keeping, arbitrating differences between community members; assisting in the conduct of elections, and assisting in the evacuation of communities in disaster areas caused by natural calamity or war.
Madalas silang nahaharap sa panganib, at marami na sa kanila ang nasawi o malubhang napinsala dahil sa pagganap nila ng tungkulin. The present insurance coverage pursuant to Republic Act No. 8291 (An Act amending PD 1146 as amended, expanding and increasing the coverage and benefits of the Government Service Insu-rance System or GSIS) covering all government officials is inadequate for payment of medical, death and burial expenses.
Layon ng aking panukala na magkaloob ng additional insurance benefits sa mga barangay captain bukod pa sa kasalukuyang probisyon para sa kanila sa GSIS. This is in recognition of their contribution to the community and as an encouragement for them to honestly continue their public service.”
Alinsunod sa panukala:
“In addition to the insurance benefits given by the GSIS under R.A. 8291, term insurance coverage to all barangay captains providing the following benefits shall be granted:
1.) P200,000 Death Benefits if death is due to assassinations or ambush; accidents; and other similar circumstances while in the discharge of their official functions.
2.) P50,000 assistance in instances of attempted assassinations not resulting in death but resulting in serious physical injury.
3.) P50,000 Burial Expenses assistance.
4.) Reimbursement of Actual Medical Expenses not to exceed P100,000.
The National Government shall appropriate annually and include in the General Appropriations Act an amount corresponding to the total annual insurance premiums of the barangay captains.