Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
Regular Session
Housing Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. Florida “Rida” P. Robes

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Its the policy of the State to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare. To
this end, it is necessary to fortify the maintenance of peace and order from the national
government down to the barangay level in addressing the peace and order concerns within
communities and localities.

Pursuant with Section 391 (16) of Republic Act (RA) No. 7160, otherwise known as
“The Local Government Code of 1991,” Barangays possess the power to organize community
brigades, barangay tanods or community services as may be necessary to assist in the peace
and order efforts of the barangay. However, RA 7160 is silent on the qualifications of barangay
tanods.

Confronted with the current challenge of rising incidents of lawlessness and violence
in the country, barangays need to streamline, amplify and augment mechanisms to maintain
the peace and order within their respective jurisdictions. Barangay tanods serve in the frontlines
in the fight against lawlessness, crime and terrorism.

Therefore, to capacitate the barangay with qualified personnel in implementing peace
and order measures, there is a need to impose certain qualifications and standards in the
recruitment and qualifications of barangay tanods, as agents for peace and development.
Moreover, there is also a need to provide a system of incentives to revitalize the commitment
of Barangay Tanod members and recognize the merits of their services.

Hence, the passage of this bill is earnestly sought.

FLOR(DA “RIDA” P. ROBES


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

Nineteenth Congress
Regular Sessign
Housing Bill No. 603

Introduced by Rep. Florida “Rida P. Robes”

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT OF
BARANGAY TANOD MEMNERS IN BARANGAYS, PROVIDING
A SYSTEM OF MERIT AND INCENTIVE, AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in joint session:

Section 1. Short Title. ~This Act shall be known as the “Barangay Tanod Qualifications
Act of 2023 .”

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared as the policy of the State to
safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare. To this end, it is necessary to fortify the
maintenance of peace and order from the national government down to the barangay level in
addressing the peace and order concerns within communities and localities. In accordance with
Section 391 (16) of Republic Act (RA) No. 7160, otherwise known as “The Local Government
Code of 1991,” Barangays possess the power to organize community brigades, barangay tanods
or community services as may be necessary to assist in the peace and order efforts of the
barangay. There is, therefore, a need to capacitate the barangay with qualified personnel in
implementing peace and order measures by imposing certain qualifications and standards in
the recruitment and qualifications of barangay tanods, as agents for peace and development.

Section 3. Scope. — This Act shall cover all barangay units in the Philippines. Barangay
tanod members who have been appointed prior to the effectivity of this Act shall meet the
qualifications herein stated.

Section 4, Composition of Barangay Tanod. — The barangay tanod is a community
brigade composed of civilian volunteers duly appointed by the Punong Barangay upon
recommendation of the Barangay Peace and Order Council (BPOC). The provision of the Local
Government Code notwithstanding that there shall be a maximum of twenty (20) tanods in each
barangay, barangays may recruit more as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of the
barangay in accordance with the needs of public service, subject to the budgetary limitations
of the barangay.

Section 5. Qualifications of Barangay Tanod members. ~ No person shall be appointed
as a member of the barangay tanod unless he is found to be:


a) A Filipino citizen;

b) A bona fide resident and a registered voter for at least six (6) months
of the barangay where he is appointed;

©) At least eighteen (18) years old but not more than 59 years old at the
time of his appointment;

d) Can read and write but preferably a high schoo! graduate;
©) Of good moral character;
f) Physically and mentally fit as certified by a competent public physician;

Retired government employees, police or military officers or personnel may be
appointed; Provided, That they shall meet the above qualifications especially with regard to age
and health. Nothing herein shall be understood to discriminate against age and health status of
the appointee as the above qualifications are bona fide occupational qualifications necessary to
the position of a barangay tanod member, his/her/its health, wellbeing, and safety.

Section 6. Entitlement to Incentives. A member of the Barangay Tanod shall be
entitled to a one-time lump sum incentive of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (Php 25,000.00)
upon rendering at least ten (10) years of continuous service in good standing and without
having been found guilty by final judgment of a competent court or tribunal of any criminal or
administrative charges.

Section 7. GSIS Insurance Coverage. — The provisions of RA 8291, otherwise known
as “Revised Government Service Insurance Act of 1977” and. Section 522 of the RA 7160 and
other relevant laws, members of the Barangay Tanod shall be considered members of the
Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and shall be covered by life insurance, social
security, including retirement, disability, separation and unemployment benefits and such other
benefits as may be extended by the GSIS, subject to limitations provided by laws. The GSIS
shall make special provisions in order to facilitate the inclusion of barangay tanods in the
benefit coverage of the GSIS.

Section 7. Mandatory Universal Health Coverage. - Members of the Barangay Tanod
shall be automatically covered under the National Health Insurance Program in accordance
with RA 11223, otherwise known as the “Universal Health Care Act.”

Section 8, Mandatory Retirement of Tanods. — A member of the Barangay Tanod who
shall have reached the age of sixty (60) shall be deemed retired and shall not be allowed to
continue his/her/their services as barangay tanod. A retired member of the Barangay Tanod
shall be entitled to all retirement benefits and pension in accordance with RA 8291 and Section
522 of RA 7160, and such other retirement laws for government personnel.

Section 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The Department of Local and
Interior Government (DILG) shall have the power to promulgate the implementing rules and
regulations as may be necessary to fully implement the objectives and purposes of this Act
within six (6) moths from the approval hereof.



Section 10. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry out the provisions of this
Act shall be included in the respective budgets of barangay LGU, and such sources other funds
as the barangay LGU may generate.

Section 11. Separability Clause. ~ If any part or provision of the Act shall be held
unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions which are not affected thereby shall continue to be
in full force and effect.

Section 12. Repealing Clause. ~ The provision of Article II of DILG Memorandum
Circular No. 2003-042 on “Composition of Barangay Tanod” and “Qualifications of Barangay
Tanod Members” is hereby expressly repealed and superseded. Alll laws, rules, issuances or
parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Section 7. Effectivity. ~ This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in atleast two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.