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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
          HOUSE BILL NO. 1816 
Introduced by REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The dissemination of accurate, timely, and relevant information is a cornerstone of good 
governance. It enables transparency, strengthens public trust, and promotes the 
meaningful participation of citizens in national and local affairs. In a country as 
geographically fragmented and culturally diverse as the Philippines, bridging the gap 
between the government and the grassroots remains both a challenge and a necessity. 
The barangay, as the most immediate and accessible political unit, plays an important 
role in addressing this challenge. It is often the first point of contact for citizens seeking 
services, redress, or clarity about government programs.1 According to Section 17(b) of 
Republic Act (“R.A.”) No. 7160 (1991), also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, 
as amended to R.A. No. 8553 (1998), barangays are mandated to provide basic services 
and facilities, including an “information and reading center,” which serves to enhance 
the intellectual and social development of barangay residents.2 These centers are 
envisioned to offer access to books, newspapers, and other educational materials, and 
may also serve as venues for literacy programs, community meetings, and public 
information dissemination. In line with this, it is essential to appoint officers specifically 
responsible for ensuring that all information disseminated is effectively communicated, 
verified, and fact-checked. 
In response, this measure seeks to institutionalize the position of a Barangay Information 
Officers (“BIOs”) in every barangay. This initiative draws from the existing efforts of the 
Philippine Information Agency Region 6 (“PIA 6”), which has already pioneered the 
mobilization and capacity-building of BIOs as a network of trained community-based 
communicators. In partnership with the Department of the Interior and Local 
Government (“DILG”), PIA 6 has laid the groundwork for empowering local 
1 De Lima, L. (2013)  in Barangay Human Rights Action Center. https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/UNDP4/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/BHRAC-
Legal-Bases.pdf   
2 Republic Act No. 7160 (1991). Local Government Code of 1991. Amended as Republic Act No. 8553 (1998). 
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communicators to serve as both the mouthpieces of government programs and the ears 
of the national government as they relay community feedback and concerns.3 Through 
this proposed measure, the State aims to formalize and sustain these efforts by mandating 
the appointment of BIOs in every barangay nationwide. 
The BIOs shall serve as the official conduit for government communication at the 
barangay level. Through establishing this formal position, the State affirms its 
commitment to participatory governance. It ensures that all citizens, regardless of 
location or background, will have access to important information that allows them to 
make informed decisions, access government services, and engage actively in civic life. 
Furthermore, this measure reinforces the constitutional principles of transparency, 
accountability, and people-centered development, recognizing communication as a two-
way process essential to effective governance. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
 
 
 
               JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
 
 
 
3 Barangay Information Officers’ Network (BIO-N): A PIA Grassroots Communication effort with the Barangay Information Officers (BIOs) in Western 
Visayas. Philippine Information Agency VI 
 


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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila  
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
          HOUSE BILL NO. 1816 
 
  
Introduced by  REP. JAVIER MIGUEL L. BENITEZ 
 
 
AN ACT MANDATING THE APPOINTMENT OF BARANGAY INFORMATION 
OFFICER IN EVERY BARANGAY 
 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
 
SECTION 1. Short Title - This Act shall be known as “Barangay Information Officer 
Act of 2025”. 
 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State shall ensure the designation of personnel 
responsible for effectively communicating government policies, programs, services, and 
other initiatives at the local and national levels to barangay constituents. To this end, each 
barangay shall appoint one (1) Barangay Information Officer (“BIO”), in coordination 
with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (“DILG”) and the Philippine 
Information Agency (“PIA”), and in accordance with the guidelines to be prescribed in 
the Implementing Rules and Regulations (“IRR”). 
 
SEC. 3. Qualifications - The BIOs shall: 
(a) Be a Filipino citizen, at least eighteen (18) years old, and a resident of the 
barangay for at least three (3) consecutive years prior to appointment; 
(b) Hold at least a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution of higher 
learning; 
(c) Have completed at least sixteen (16) hours of relevant training in 
communication, public information, or media-related fields; 
(d) Have at least two (2) years of relevant experience in community work, 
public service, media, or information dissemination; 
(e) Demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills, with basic 
proficiency in digital and media tools; and  


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(f) Not hold any other elective position in government during their tenure. 
SEC. 4. Duties and Responsibilities - The BIOs shall have the following duties and 
responsibilities, including, but not limited to, the following: 
(a) Disseminate 
official 
government 
information 
materials 
and 
announcements; 
(b) Conduct or assist in the conduct of public information campaigns in the 
barangay; 
(c) Coordinate with the PIA, DILG, and other government agencies for 
updated content and training; 
(d) Relay feedback, concerns, and suggestions from residents to appropriate 
authorities; and 
(e) Uphold transparency and ensure that all information disseminated is 
verified, factual, and free from misinformation. 
SEC. 5. Capacity Building and Training - The PIA, in collaboration with the DILG 
and other concerned agencies, shall regularly conduct training, capacity-building, and 
upskilling activities for the BIOs to enhance their communication competencies and 
ensure alignment with government messaging and protocols. 
SEC. 6. Institutional Support - Barangays shall provide adequate and continuous 
logistical support to the BIOs, which may include access to barangay bulletin boards, 
sound systems, computer, community radio, and other relevant materials necessary for 
information dissemination. The Barangay shall conduct an annual performance 
evaluation of the BIOs, based on guidelines to be issued by the DILG and PIA. 
SEC. 7. Honorarium and Incentives - Each barangay shall allocate an honorarium or 
incentive for the BIOs, subject to local budget availability and existing government 
accounting, budgeting, and auditing regulations. 
SEC. 8. Coordinating with Local Government Units (LGUs) and National Government 
Agencies (NGAs) - The PIA in coordination with the DILG, shall serve as the lead agency 
for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of this Act. They shall submit an 
annual report to Congress detailing the performance, challenges, and policy 
recommendations concerning the BIOs network. 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations - Within ninety (90) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the DILG and the PIA, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, 
shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this 
Act. 
SEC. 10. Appropriations. – The amount that may be necessary for the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the current appropriations of the 


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concerned agencies. Thereafter, the funds necessary for the continued implementation 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, rules, 
and regulations inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or 
modified accordingly. 
SEC. 12. Separability Clause - If any provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remainder shall not be affected thereby. 
SEC. 13. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
 
Approved,