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

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS:
First Regular Session
$438

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay tanods can be considered as the lowest level of law enforcement
officer in the Philippines. They are frontliners in the preparation and response to
any type of atrocities, public disorders, emergencies, and even disasters or man-
made calamities that threaten the peace and order and public safety', However,
common experience would show that the roles that barangay tanods play go far
beyond what is required of them officially.

News stories of how a barangay tanod aided a woman in giving birth is a
prime example of the work that barangay tanods do to help out the community.
‘Their roles in running the barangay is indispensable since they aid in other fields
such as conflict resolution. Barangay tanods perform the roles of peacekeeper,
watchman, handy man, mediator, amongst many others.

Given this, it is only fair that the services of our noble barangay tanods be
given their just and due compensation. They should formally be part of the
contingent of our barangays as employees of the government and the appropriate
benefits extended to them.

It is for these foregoing premises that the approval of this bill is earnestly
sought.

ALFRED C. DELOS SANTOS
Representative, Ang Probinsyano Party List

+ http://www. region6.dilg.gov.ph/index.php/awards/seach-for-outstanding-barangay-tanod
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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bri wo, 5438

Introduced by ANG PROBINSYANO
Party-List Representative Alfred Delos Santos

AN ACT
GRANTING BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES TO ACCREDITED BARANGAY TANODS
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

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 "Magna Carta for
Barangay Tanods.”"

SECTION 2. Statement of Policy.— The State shall create policies for the
provision of adequate social services, promotion of full employment, a rising
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all. It is hereby declared the
policy of the State to empower and strengthen barangay security through the
barangay tanods by utilizing them as frontliners in providing government services
in the barangay level.

‘The State acknowledges the need to adopt measures and incentive schemes to
ensure that barangay tanods employed by the smallest political unit of the
government are properly compensated and protected in carrying out their official
duties and functions. The government and all its instrumentalities shall also
recognize the rights of barangay tanods to organize themselves; to strengthen and
systematize their services for their community; and to make venue for sharing their
experiences and recommending policies and guidelines for the promotion,
maintenance and advancement of their activities and services.

SECTION 3. Definition.— The term "barangay tanod" refers to all duly appointed
members of the barangay tanod brigades which shall not exceed more than twenty
(20) in each barangay as provided by Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as
the Local Government Code of 1991.

SECTION 4. Registration.— In order for barangay tanods to be entitled to benefits
and incentives provided under this Act, they shall register with the regional offices
of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the region in which
they render service. The DILG regional offices shall furnish a copy of such registry
to the DILG Central Office, which is hereby mandated to maintain a national
register of barangay tanods. The accredited barangay tanods shall be given
appropriate proof of said accreditation.


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SECTION 5. Number of Barangay Tanods.— The DILG shall determine the ideal
ratio of barangay tanods to the number of households: provided, that the total
number of barangay tanods nationwide shall not exceed one percent (1%) of the
total population.

SECTION 6. Incentives and Benefits.— In recognition of their services, all
accredited barangay tanods who are actively and regularly performing their duties
shall be entitled to the following incentives and benefits:

a) Honorarium.— Honorarium shall be given by the national government for
services rendered by the Barangay Tanods covered under this Act in the amount
equivalent to the existing minimum wage, in accordance with the salary schedule
being implemented by the city or municipality where the barangay is located. Said
amount shall be part of the budget of the DILG for members of the Barangay Tanod
Brigades.

b) Hazard Allowance.— Barangay tanods in rural and urban areas, exposed to
situations, conditions, or factors in the work environment or place where
foreseeable but unavoidable danger or risks exist which adversely endanger his
health or life and/or increase the risk of producing adverse effect on his person in
the exercise of his duties, to be validated by the proper authorities, shall be entitled
to hazard allowance in an amount to be determined by the local government unit
concerned.

©) Subsistence Allowance.— Barangay tanods who rendered service within the
premises of isolated barangays in order to make their services within the premises
available at any and all times, shall be entitled to subsistence allowance equivalent
to the meals they take in the course of their duty, which shall be computed in
accordance with prevailing circumstances as determined by the local government
unit concerned.

4) Training Programs. — The DILG shall implement a program designed to
develop the basic skills and expertise needed for the Barangay Tanod Brigade to
perform their commitment as peace and public safety officers. It shall include
basic orientation on the structure and organization of the barangay system of
government, as well as how their duties relate to the overall governance system.
Courses on crime prevention and unarmed defense techniques, disaster
preparedness and management, information operation as service responders, and
first aid shall also be offered. Such program shall be credited for pre-qualification
for a security guard license or qualify the Tanod for accreditation equivalent to civic
welfare service under Republic Act No. 916.

e) Education and Career Enrichment Programs.— The DILG, in accordance
with the Department of Education, and other concerned government agencies and
non-government organizations, shall provide duly accredited barangay tanods
opportunities for the following:

1) educational programs which shall recognize years of service as credits to
higher education in institutions with stepladder curricula that will entitle
them to upgrade their skills and knowledge for community work or to pursue
further training;

2) continuing education, study and exposure tours, training, grants, field
immersion, scholarships, etc.;


3) scholarship benefits in the form of tuition fees in state colleges, to be granted
to one child of every barangay tanod who will not be able to take advantage of
the above programs;

4) special training programs such as those on traditional medicine, disaster
preparedness and other programs that address emergent community health
problems and issues; and

5) the basic education and training program shall be offered free of charge.
Local governments shall adopt a cost-sharing financing scheme with the
DILG for the Barangay Tanod Brigades for the implementation of the basic
courses depending on the income level of the concerned local government
unit.

f) Civil Service Eligibility A second grade eligibility shall be granted to
barangay tanods who have rendered five (5) years continuous service as such:
provided, the total number of years served as barangay tanod shall be credited to
his/her service in computing retirement benefits.

g) Free Legal Services.— Free legal representation and consultation services for
barangay tanods shall be immediately provided by the Public Attorneys Office in
cases of coercion, interference, and in other civil and criminal cases filed by or
against barangay tanods arising out of or in connection with the performance of
their duties as such.

h) Preferential Access to Loans.— The DILG in coordination with other
concerned government agencies shall provide, within one hundred eighty (180)
days after the effectivity of this Act, a mechanism for access to loan services by
organized barangay tanods. The agencies providing loan services will set aside one
percent (1%) of their loanable funds for organized barangay tanod groups that have
community-based income generating projects in support of health programs or
activities.

i) _ Retirement Pay. — Barangay Tanods shall be entitled to a lump sum
retirement pay equivalent to one (1) year honorarium to be taken from the barangay
retirement fund, provided, however, that a retiree is at least sixty (60) years of age
with a minimum of ten (10) years of service at the time of the retirement.

j) Other benefits.— All duly appointed members of the barangay tanod
brigades, or their equivalent, shall also have the following additional benefits:

1) Be granted insurance or other benefits during their incumbency;

2) Be entitled to a Christmas bonus of at least one month honorarium each, the
funds for which shall be taken from the general fund of the barangay or from
such other funds appropriated by the national government for the purpose;

3) Be entitled to free medical care including subsistence, medicines, and
medical attendance in any government hospital or institution; Provided, That
such hospital care shall not include surgery or surgical expenses, medicines,
X-Rays, laboratory fees, and other hospital expenses.


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SECTION 7. Barangay Retirement Fund. — There is hereby created a Barangay
Retirement Fund (BRF) which shall be used to fund the retirement of Barangay
Tanods. The amount equivalent to one percent (1%) of the share of the national
government under Section 284 of Republic Act No. 7160 shall be used for this

purpose.

SECTION 8. Non-diminution of Benefits. — Nothing in the Act shall be construed
to eliminate or in any way diminish entitlements, or other benefits being provided
to or enjoyed by the Barangay Tanod under Republic Act No. 7160, at the time of
the promulgation of this Act.

SECTION 9. Rules and Regulations.— The DILG, in cooperation with the
Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice,
the Civil Service Commission and other concerned government agencies and non-
government organizations, shall formulate within one hundred eighty (180) days
from its effectivity, the rules and regulations necessary to implement this Act.

SECTION 10. Funding. - The President is hereby authorized to realign or transfer
any item of appropriation within the Department of Interior and Local Government
and/or utilize any savings therein to carry out the purpose of this Act. Subsequent
appropriation shall be included in the General Appropriations Act and thereafter.

SECTION 11. Separability Clause.— If any provision of this Act is declared
invalid, the remainder or any provision hereof not affected thereby shall remain in
force and effect.

SECTION 12. Repealing Clause.— All laws, decrees, executive orders and other
presidential issuances which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed,
amended or modified accordingly.

SECTION 13. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.

Approved: