1 
Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  _______ 
INTRODUCED BY: HONORABLE MARISOL C. PANOTES 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The role of the barangay is explicitly defined under Republic Act No. 7160, 
as amended, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991. As the 
basic political unit, the barangay serves as the primary planning and 
implementing unit of government policies, programs, projects and activities in 
the community. It also serves as a forum where collective views of the people are 
expressed and crystallized, and where disputes may also be settled. Apparently, 
due to various functions and responsibilities reposed on barangays, the Local 
Government Code of 1991, aside from the punong barangay, seven (7) 
sangguniang members, the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson, a secretary, a 
treasurer and members of the lupong tagapamayapa, empowers the 
sangguniang barangay to form community brigades and such other positions to 
carry out the purposes of the barangay government in accordanc with the needs 
of the public service. 
In pursuance with this legal mandate, practically, all barangays 
nationwide have organized the Puroks composed of a Purok Leader and seven (7) 
Purok Kagawads. These Puroks assume, within their respective jurisdiction, the 
role of barangay. It is quite unfair to them, however, that while they are doing 
their tasks to make the duties and responsibilities of barangay officials less 
difficult and taxing, they are not even recognized as barangay officials or even as 
persons in authority within the contemplation of the law. 
It is therefore the paramount objective of this important piece of legislation 
to authorize the sangguniang bayan and sangguniang panlungsod to create 
puroks in barangays where there is no existing barangay purok.  
July 28, 2021
12:16 pm
9889


2 
The number of puroks under this bill shall not be more than three (3) nor 
more than eight (8) depending on the number of households. However, barangay 
puroks existing before the effectivity of this Act shall be recognized but limited 
to only a maximum eight (8) puroks in each barangay and five (5) kagawads per 
purok, and all Purok Leaders shall be considered as barangay officials within the 
contemplation of the Local Government Code of 1991 in order for them to be 
accorded rights, and be entitled to receive benefits and privileges granted to 
barangay officials. This is the most fair and logical thing for Congress to do in 
order for them to work doubly hard for the good of the people living in the 
smallest political unit called the barangay. 
In view of the foregoing reasons, the approval of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
MARISOL C. PANOTES 
       Representative 
    Second District, Camarines Norte 


3 
  Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO.  _______ 
INTRODUCED BY: HONORABLE MARISOL C. PANOTES 
AN ACT 
RECOGNIZING THE EXISTENCE OF BARANGAY PUROKS, PROVIDING FOR 
THE MANNER OF ELECTIONS, TERM AND QUALIFICATIONS OF PUROK 
OFFICIALS, AND GRANTING BENEFITS AND PRIVILEGES TO PUROK 
LEADERS, AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTIONS 387, 388 AND 393 OF 
REPUBLIC 
ACT 
NO. 
7160 
OTHERWISE 
KNOWN 
AS 
THE 
LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991, AS AMENDED 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 “Barangay Purok 
Act.“ 
SEC. 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following term 
shall mean: 
a. Purok refers to a division within a barangay, which serves as a unit for
delivering services and administration within such smallest political
unit;
b. Purok Officials refer to the Purok Leader and five (5) purok kagawads;
9889


4 
 
c. Household refers to a social unit consisting of a person living alone or 
a group of person who reside in the same housing unit and have a 
common arrangement in the preparation and consumption of food. 
 
SEC. 3. Sections 387, 388, and 393 of Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise 
known as the Local Government Code of 1991 as amended are hereby amended 
to read as follows: 
 
 
“SECTION 387. Chief Officials and Offices. – (a) There shall 
be in each barangay a punong barangay, seven (7) sangguniang 
barangay members, PUROK LEADERS AND FIVE (5) PUROK 
KAGAWADS IN EACH PUROK, the sangguniang kabataan 
chairman, a barangay secretary and a barangay treasurer. 
 
(b) There shall also be in every barangay a lupong 
tagapamayapa. THE SANGGUNIANG BAYAN AND SANGGUNIANG 
PANLUNGSOD SHALL CREATE PUROKS, WHICH SHALL NOT BE 
LESS THAN THREE (3) NOR MORE THAN EIGHT (8) DEPENDING 
ON THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS. EACH PUROK, WHICH 
SHALL BE COMPOSED OF A PUROK LEADER AND FIVE (5) PUROK 
KAGAWADS, SHALL AT LEAST HAVE TWENTY (20) HOUSEHOLDS: 
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ALL PUROKS ORGANIZED BEFORE 
THE EFFECTIVITY OF THIS ACT ARE HEREBY RECOGNIZED AND 
ARE NOT COVERED BY THE LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY THIS 
SECTION. The sangguniang barangay may ALSO form community 
brigades and create such other positions or offices as may be 
necessary to carry out the purposes of the barangay government in 
accordance with the needs of public service, subject to the budgetary 
limitations on personal services prescribed under Title Five, Book II 
of this Code.” 
 
“SECTION 388. Persons in Authority. – For purposes of the 
Revised Penal Code, the punong barangay, sangguniang barangay 
members, PUROK LEADERS, and members of the lupong 
tagapamayapa in each barangay shall be deeme as persons in 
authority in their jurisdictions, while other barangay officials and 
members who may be designated by law or ordinance and charged 
with the maintenance of public order, protection and security of life 
and property, or the maintenance of a desirable and balanced 
environment, and any barangay member who comes to the aid of 
persons in authority, shall be deemed agents of persons in authority. 
“  
 


5 
xxx 
xxx 
xxx 
“SECTION 393. Benefits of Barangay Officials AND 
PUROK LEADERS. – (a) Barangay officials, including PUROK 
LEADERS, barangay tanods and members of the lupong 
tagapamayapa, shall receive honoraria, allowances and such other 
emoluments as may be authorized by law or barangay, municipal or 
city ordinance in accordance with the provisions of this Code, but in 
no case shall it be less than [One] FIVE thousand pesos [(P1,000.00)] 
(P5,000.00) per month for punong barangay and [six hundred pesos 
(P600.00)] TWO THOUSAND PESOS (P2,000.00) per month for 
sangguniang barangay member, PUROK LEADERS, barangay 
treasurer, and barangay secretary: Provided, however, That the 
annual appropriations for personal services shall be subject to the 
budgetary limitations prescribed under Title Five, Book II of this 
Code. 
(b)
The punong barangay, the sangguniang barangay
members, THE PUROK LEADERS, the barangay treasurer, and the 
barangay secretary shall also: 
(1) Be entitled to Christmasbonus of at least One thousand pesos
(P1,000.00) 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;
xxx 
xxx 
xxx 
SEC. 4. Manner of Elections – The elections of Purok Leaders and Purok 
Kagawads by qualified purok residents shall be held sixty (60) days after every 
barangay elections. They shall serve for the same term and qualifications as 
barangay officials. 
The Municipal Local Government Officer, with the assistance of barangay 
officials, shall supervise the elections. 
The Purok Leaders shall serve as ex-officio members of the sangguniang 
barangay. 
SEC. 5. Succession. -  If a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the 
Purok Leader, the highest ranking Purok Kagawad, or in case of his permanent 


6 
inability, the second highest ranking Purok Kagawad shall become the Purok 
Leader. 
SEC. 6. Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days after the 
effectivity of this Act, the Department of the Interior and Local Government 
(DILG), in consultation with the Liga ng mga Barangay and the Leagues of 
Provinces, Cities and Municipalities, shall promulgate the necessary rules and 
regulations for its effective implementation. 
SEC. 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or modified 
accordingly. 
SEC. 3. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) after its publication in the 
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,