Benefits pushed anew

CEBU, Philippines —  The proposed ordinance eyeing to establish a retirement gratuity benefit for elected barangay officials in the Cebu City has again been introduced before the legislative body.

This is the third time.

City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia resubmitted his proposed ordinance which was rejected in 2017 and 2018 by the previous members of the City Council.

“All elected barangay officials who have served a minimum of one year shall be qualified for the Retirement Gratuity Benefit provided herein,” a portion of the proposed measure read.

In the proposal, Garcia said retired barangay captains will get P5,000 for every year of service and barangay councilors will get P3,000 for every year of service.

He said these elected barangay officials who receive salaries in the form of honoraria are not automatically registered under the Government Service Insurance System.

“Elected barangay officials seeking to claim their retirement gratuity benefit shall accomplish a Retirement Gratuity request form submitted to the Office of the City Accountant, stating therein, among other details, the official’s intention to claim their retirement gratuity benefit,” he said.

The elected barangay official shall also present the total years in service for every position he or she was elected and this should be certified by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Section 6 of the proposed measure provides the two circumstances when elected barangay officials are disqualified from claiming the retirement gratuity benefit; the first is if they have been ordered dismissed from service; and the second is if they have previously claimed their benefits under this ordinance, regardless of any time spent in service after the said claim.

In the proposal, Garcia said the benefits of barangay officials, under the Local Government Code, include honoraria, allowances, and other emoluments as may be authorized by law.

In case of the death of a qualified barangay official, Garcia said the legal heirs of that official are still entitled to get the benefits.

The Office of the Mayor is tasked to enforce the ordinance once approved.

In the proposal, the Office of the Mayor should also issue rules and regulations as guidelines for the implementation of the ordinance, if approved.

To recall, the previous members of the City Council rejected the proposal as it would reportedly go “beyond the power” of the legislative body to enact since retirement gratuity benefit is not included in the enumerated benefits that the barangay officials may receive.

Garcia referred his proposal to the council’s committee on laws, ordinances, and styling.

Before the proposal is approved, all private stakeholders will be asked for their sentiments in a public hearing. — BRP (FREEMAN)