TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
25 JUL -7 fliO ;09
S. No.
SENATE
178
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAYS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The barangay is the most basic political unit of government in the Philippines. 
It serves as the frontline institution that directly interacts with citizens and implements 
national and local government programs at the grassroots level. It functions as a vital 
platform where the collective voice of the community is articulated.
However, despite its crucial role in community governance and public service 
delivery, many barangays across the country remain underserved and under­
resourced, while barangay officials are often overworked, underpaid, and denied the 
benefits given to other public servants.
This proposed measure seeks to address these long-standing concerns by 
establishing support mechanisms that will uplift the economic and social status of 
barangay officials. It grants them the benefits and privileges of regular government 
employees, including fixed salaries, allowances, and full access to social protection. 
The bill also aims to ensure that every barangay has access to basic facilities that 
support a decent, healthy, and comfortable standard of living.
Moreover, the measure acknowledges the indispensable contributions of 
barangay officials by strengthening the capacity and local autonomy of barangays to
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enable them to deliver essential public services more effectively. It further strengthens 
the role of barangay tanods by empowering the Sangguniang Barangay to determine 
their appropriate number and by providing them with compensation and benefits in 
recognition of their vital role in maintaining peace and order within their communities.
In view of the foregoing, approval of this bill is earnestly sought.
SENATOR CHRISTOPHER LA RENCE "BONG" T. GO


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
25 jyi-7 A10:09
S. No.
SENATE
178
Introduced by Senator Christopher Lawrence "Bong" T. Go
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAYS
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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ARTICLE I
POLICY AND PRINCIPLES
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ''Magna Carta for 
Barangays Act of2025."
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to promote, deveiop 
and improve the generai welfare of the barangay and its residents, raise the economic 
and social status of barangay officials, grant every barangay the basic facilities for 
decent, healthy and comfortable living, and provide new measures that will protect its 
enjoyment of local autonomy to ensure the effective performance of its role as the 
primary planning and implementing unit of government programs, projects, activities, 
and as a forum in which the collective views of the people In the community may be 
crystallized.
Sec. 3. Genera! Principles. - The following are the general 
principles of this Act:


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a. ) The national government shall give more attention to the development of the
barangays, as they are the country's basic political units;
b. ) Every barangay shall be given the authority and capability to handle its
concerns on its level; and
c. ) Self-help or people power shall be the guiding principle in all barangay
development projects.
ARTICLE II
BARANGAY OFFICIALS
Sec. 4. Barangay Officials as Reguiar Government Employees. - The punong 
barangay, members of the sangguniang barangay, the sangguniang kabataan 
chairperson, the barangay secretary and barangay treasurer in all barangays are 
hereby declared regular government employees, and as such, are entitled to the 
salary, emoluments, allowances such as hazard pay. Representation and 
Transportation Allowance, Personnel Economic Relief Allowance, Productivity 
Incentive Bonus, Clothing Allowance and 13th month pay, and other benefits such as 
insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and all other fringe 
benefits to which a regular government employee may be entitled to.
Sec. 5. Salaries of Barangay Officials.- As soon as the appropriate steps and 
measures are undertaken by each city or municipality in coordination with the 
individual barangay involved on matters relating to the sources of fund and the 
corresponding appropriation ordinance, which in no case shall be later than six (6) 
months from the approval hereof, all barangay officials mentioned in Section 4 hereof, 
shall be entitled to the following fixed salaries:
a. ) Punong Barangay - An amount equivalent to the salary of a sangguniang bayan
member of his/her municipality or city;
b. ) Members of the Sangguniang Barangay - An amount equivalent to eighty
percent (80%) of the salary of the sangguniang bayan member of his/her
municipality or city; and
c. ) Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson, Barangay Secretary and Barangay


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Treasurer - An amount equivalent to seventy-five percent (75%) of the salary
of the sangguniang bayan member of his/her municipality or city.
Sec. 6. Appointment, Selection and Benefits of Barangay Tanods. - There shall be 
barangay tanods in every barangay who shall maintain peace and order, and enforce 
all laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives and properties in their 
respective barangays. The sangguniang barangay shall, through a resolution, 
determine the appropriate number of barangay tanods needed in their respective 
barangay.
The appointment and selection of barangay tanods shall be done by the Punong 
Barangays with the concurrence of the majority of the members of the sangguniang 
barangay concerned in accordance with merit and principle: Provided, That no person 
shall be appointed barangay tanod unless he or she is a citizen of the Philippines, a 
resident of the barangay concerned, of good moral character and of sound mind: 
Provided further. That patronage or partisan considerations shall not be a basis for 
such selection and appointment.
Barangay tanods shall be appointed to a permanent status during the 
administration of the sangguniang barangay which appointed them.
Barangay tanods shall receive the following benefits and privileges:
(a) Honoraria, allowances, and such other emoluments as may be authorized 
by law or barangay, municipal or city ordinance in accordance with the 
provisions of Republic Act No. 7160, but in no case shall it be less than Six 
hundred pesos (P600.00) per month;
(b) Christmas bonus 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;
(c) Insurance coverage which shall include, but shall not be limited to 
temporary and permanent disability, double indemnity, accident insurance, 
death and burial benefits;
(d) Free medical care including subsistence, medicines, and medical attendance 
in any government hospital or institution: Provided, That such hospital care


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shall include surgery or surgical expenses, medicines, X-rays, iaboratory 
fees, and other hospital expenses; and
(e) Exemption during their incumbency from paying tuition and matriculation 
fees for their legitimate dependent children attending state colleges or 
universities. He may likewise avail of such educational benefits in a state 
college or university located within the province or city to which the 
barangay belongs.
ARTICLE III
BASIC PRIORITIES IN THE BARANGAY
Sec. 7. Drinking Water for Every Barangay. - It is the right of every barangay 
to have a regular supply of clean and potable water. To attain this goal, every city or 
municipality, as the case may be, is hereby required to construct or maintain at least 
one (1) facility for drawing drinking water to supply the needs of every one thousand 
(1,000) residents for each barangay within its jurisdiction.
Sec. 8. Transportation for Every Barangay. - It is also the right of every 
barangay to have public transportation available at least once a day. For this purpose, 
every municipality or city, as the case may be, should make such necessary 
representations before appropriate government agencies to require public utility 
companies operating primarily within its jurisdiction to provide the minimum means of 
transportation in every barangay.
Sec. 9. Schools. Health Centers, and Barangay Halls for the Barangays. - As far 
as practicable, every barangay is entitled to have at least one (1) kindergarten and at 
least one (1) elementary school: Provided, That there shall be at least one high school 
for every five (5) kilometers from the barangay center. It shall also be the right of 
every barangay to have one (1) health center and one (1) barangay hall.
ARTICLE IV
MEASURES TO ASSURE THE ENJOYMENT OF LOCAL AUTONOMY


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Sec. 10. Automatic Release of Share from National Taxes. -The share of each 
barangay from all national taxes shall be released, without need of further action, 
directly to the barangay treasurer.
Sec. 11. Transfer of Funds to Barangay for the Maintenance of Roads and 
Bridges. - All public funds appropriated from the National Treasury for the 
maintenance of barangay roads and bridges and other similar construction works shall 
be transferred or remitted directly to the general fund of every barangay for their 
proper disposition by barangay officials, subject to auditing laws, rules, and 
regulations.
Sec. 12. Mandatory Share of Barangays in AH Taxes, Fees, or Other Charges. - 
Twenty-five percent (25%) of all taxes collected on real property located within the 
barangay shall be considered barangay funds and shall be allocated in accordance 
with existing laws. In addition, thereto, each barangay shall be entitled to ten percent 
(10%) from all other forms of taxes, fees, penalties, compromises, or other charges 
collected from persons residing in the barangay or entities whose office or 
manufacturing plant is located within the barangay.
Sec. 13. Equitable Share of the Barangay from the Proceeds of the Utilization 
and Development of National Wealth - For the exploitation, utilization, and 
development of natural resources within its territory, every barangay shall be entitled 
to an equitable share of the proceeds derived therefrom. The amount of barangay 
share shall be determined by the city or municipality concerned after consultations 
with the concessionaires, the municipal or city officials and barangay officials, taking 
into account the extent of the exposure of the barangay residents to pollution, flood 
and ecological imbalance: Provided, That, this equitable sharing rate for each 
barangay shall be resolved by all parties concerned not later than six (6) months from 
the approval of this Act.
Revenues derived from this source shall also from part of the general fund of 
the barangay.
ARTICLE V


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MISCELLANEOUS BENEFITS
Sec. 14. Scholarship Grant - Every barangay shall sponsor at least one (1) 
college scholarship grant every year to be awarded by a committee of five (5) persons 
appointed by the Sangguniang Barangay, with the approval of the Punong Barangay, 
after competitive examinations are given to applicants, who should be bona fide 
residents of the barangay. The grant shall include tuition fees and all other school 
fees, reasonable allowances for school books, supplies, transportation, and other 
expenses as the barangay may deem appropriate.
Sec. 15. Priority in Employment - Residents in every barangay shall have 
priority in the hiring of workers and laborers to be needed in any government 
construction or development project within the barangay.
Sec. 16. Cooperative Enterprise. - Cooperative enterprises in the barangay shall 
be encouraged. Every barangay is directed to give full assistance for the establishment 
and organization of said enterprises and to take every possible effort to make 
cooperative undertakings a way of life in the barangay.
ARTICLE VI
ADMINISTRATIONAND ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 17. Rules and Regulations. - The Secretary of the Interior and Local 
Government shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to 
implement the provisions of this Act. Rules and regulations issued pursuant to this 
Section shall take effect thirty (30) days after publication in a newspaper of general 
circulation and by such other means as the Secretary deems reasonabiy sufficient to 
give interested parties general notice of such issuance.
Sec. 18. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions 
of this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.


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Sec. 19. Pena! Provisions. - Any person who shall willfully interfere with, 
restrain or coerce any barangay official or barangay resident in the exercise of his or 
their rights guaranteed by this Act or who shall in any other manner commit any act 
to defeat any of the provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine 
of not less than five hundred pesos (P500.00) nor more than two thousand pesos 
(P2,000.00), or by imprisonment or six (6) months and one (1) day, or both, subject 
to the discretion of the court.
Sec. 20. Separabiiity Ciause. - If any provision of this Act is subsequently 
declared unconstitutional, the validity of the remaining provisions hereof shall remain 
in full force and effect.
Sec. 21. Repeaiing Ciause. - All acts and decrees, executive orders, 
implementing rules and regulations or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions 
of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 22. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen days (15) after its 
complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the 
Philippines.
Approved,