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Republic of the Philippines ( RECEIVED a
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES id pares og
Quezon City TIME:
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS ‘i & j
1
First Regular Session NoEXS
House eit no, 2205

Introduced by Honorable ABRAHAM “BAMBOL” N. TOLENTINO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay officials are expected to perform their mandated duties and
responsibilities at the community level by maintaining public order, enforcing laws
and ordinances, and by promoting the general welfare of the community, among
others. They are considered the forefront of their constituents, representing the
grassroots level

Although they are the sector closest to the people, they are the most
underappreciated, including in terms of salary and benefits. They are tedious
workers and optimize their resources despite limited funding. With this said, it is only
right that the State duly recognize their efforts with granting them well-deserved
benefits and incentives to help ensure faithful performance of their duties and
responsibilities as well as to raise their quality of life.

This bill proposes tax exemption of barangay officials, including Tanods and
members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, with regards to all amounts received.
Moreover, barangay officials and employees shall be considered members of the
Government Service Insurance System and shall be covered with life insurance and
social security protection. They shall also receive benefits of government medical
and health insurance programs and legal representation.


These government officials are given the arduous task of maintaining order at
the community level as well as serving their constituents. Hence, this proposed bill
aims to acknowledge their effort in overseeing their respective communities


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL nor 208

Introduced by Honorable ABRAHAM N. TOLENTINO

AN ACT PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO ALL BARANGAY
OFFICIALS, INCLUDING BARANGAY TANODS AND MEMBERS
OF THE LUPONG TAGAPAMAYAPA, AND BARANGAY EMPLOYEES

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Workers
Incentives Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the declared policy of the State to promote
and enhance the efficiency and responsiveness of barangay officials and employees,
the government workers who make democracy work at the grassroots level in the
‘smallest territorial and political subdivision of the government which is the barangay.
To achieve this objective, the State shall adopt measures and provide such
incentives not only to help ensure the faithful performance of the duties and
functions of barangay officials and employees but also to raise their quality of life.

Sec. 3. Tax Exemption. — All amounts received by barangay officials, including
Barangay Tanods and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa - hereinafter
particularly referred to as “barangay officials and barangay employees” - such as
salaries, wages, compensation, remuneration and other emoluments like honoraria
and allowances shall be exempt from income taxation. Gross benefits received by

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such officials and employees, of whatever kind or character, shall likewise be
exempted from taxation.

Sec. 4. Exemption from POEA fees. — Relatives of elected barangay officials
within the first degree of consanguinity who shall decide to pursue employment
outside the country shall be exempt from fees imposed by the Philippine Overseas
Employment Administration.

Sec. 5. GSIS Benefit Coverage. — All barangay officials and barangay employees
shall be considered members of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
and shall be covered with life insurance and social security protection, including
retirement, disability, separation and unemployment benefits and such other benefits
as may extended by the GSIS, subject to limitations provided by law.

‘The GSIS shall make special provisions in order to facilitate the inclusion of
barangay officials and barangay employees, in the benefit coverage of GSIS.

Sec. 6. Health Benefits. - Government medical and health insurance programs
under existing laws shall include in their coverage free basic health services and
medicine to barangay officials and barangay employees.

Sec. 7. Legal Representation. — Barangay officials and employees who may be
involved as party litigants in administrative or criminal cases filed in connection with
the performance of their official duties shall, as a member of right, be entitled to the
free legal services of the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) who shall facilitate the legal
representation of the such officials and employees by a counsel.

Such benefit of legal representation shall include an exemption from payment
of docket and other lawful fees, and of transcripts of stenographic notes which the
court may order to be furnished the barangay officials and employees.

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within six (6) months from the
effectivity of this Act, the Department of Interior and Local Government, in
coordination and consultation with the Department of Justice, the Department of

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Health, the Government Service Insurance System and other agencies concerned,
shall promulgate such rules or guidelines as may be necessary for the proper
implementation of this Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other
provisions hereof.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or
portions thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby

repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Affectivity Cause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,