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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives

Queson City, Metro Manila
Sixteenth Congress

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2025

Introduced by HON. ROMEO M. ACOP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The barangay is the basic political organ in our system of government. It serves as the
primary implementing unit for government policies, plans, programs and projects at the
community level. The barangay also functions as a forum wherein the collective views of the
people may be expressed and considered, and where disputes may be amicably resolved
thereby de-clogging the judiciary of its overwhelming caseloads. As such, its importance in our
political system and governance cannot be less stated.

Each barangay unit has a Punong Barangay acting as its Chief Executive, and members
of the Sangguniang Barangay which functions as its legislative body. In representation of the
youth, it has a Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson who sits as member of the Sangguniang
Barangay. It also has a Barangay Secretary and a Barangay Treasurer who are appointive
administrative officials of the barangay. The barangay can also deputize Barangay Tanods
tasked to maintain peace and order in the community in the exercise of its police power. For
purposes of settling certain kinds of disputes involving its residents, the barangay has a
conciliation panel called the Lupong Tagapamayapa. These barangay officials form the core of
political governance at the grass-root level in the country

Meanwhile, current emphasis on the welfare of the youth and on maternal care have
necessitated the appointment of Barangay Day Care Workers and Barangay Health Workers to
provide counselling and allied services to the barangay constituents.


In the stewardship of their respective barangays, these barangay officials have set aside
their personal interests and endured hardships in the name of public service. But despite their
sacrifices, the remuneration and benefits they receive pale in significance compared to the risks
they take in the discharge of their responsibilities. This, notwithstanding the spiralling cost of
living and its impact on their economic conditions.

This bill aims to provide additional benefits to barangay officials to encourage them to
perform better and with greater dedication and patriotism. The grant will also serve as an official
recognition of their valuable contribution to our nation-building

In particular, this measure seeks to

1) Increase from five thousand ( P 5,000 ) to seven thousand pesos ( P 7,000 ) the amount
of medical expenses that an entitled barangay official may incur and reimburse,
chargeable against the funds of the barangay, when seeking medical assistance in
private hospitals and institutions in emergency cases where there is no available
government hospital;

2) Include Barangay Tanods as among those entitled to free medical care in any
‘government hospital and institution; and,

3) Grant barangay officials, including Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Day Care
Workers, who have reached the age of sixty (60) years and with a minimum record of
nine (9) years in service at the time of retirement, a lump sum retirement pay equivalent
to one (1) year honorarium but which shall not exceed One Hundred thousand pesos ( P
100,000 ).

The proposed lump sum retirement pay has been the subject of a bill filed by this
representation during the 15" Congress which was passed by the House of Representatives on
Third Reading and transmitted to the Senate for its concurrence. However, due to lack of
material time, the measure was not enacted into law.

For the foregoing reasons, the immediate passage of this proposed measure is eamestly
urged.

ROMEO OP MNSA
presentative

2" District, Antipolo City


BEPREG,
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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Queson City, Metro Manila
Sixteenth Congress

First Regular Session

House Bill No. 2025

Introduced by HON. ROMEO M. ACOP

AN ACT
INCREASING THE BENEFITS OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS, AMENDING FOR THE
PURPOSE SECTION 393 OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, AS AMENDED,
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS “THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991’

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of the
Philippines in Congress assembled :

SECTION 1. Section 393 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known as
the ‘Local Government Code of 1991’, is hereby amended to read as follows

SECTION 393. Benefits of Barangay Officials —

a) Barangay officials, including barangay tanods and, members of the Jupong
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 thousand
pesos ( P 1,000.00 ) per month for the Punong Barangay and Six hundred pesos (
P 600.00 ) for the Sangguniang Barangay members, 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.

4)

The Punong Barangay, the Sangguniang Barangay members, the Barangay
Treasurer,and the Barangay Secretary shall also :

1) 000
2) x0K

3) Be entitled to free medical care including subsistence, medicines and medical
attendance in any goverment hospital and institution: Provided, that such
hospital care shall include surgery or surgical expenses, medicines, x-rays,
laboratory fees, and other hospital expenses. PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT
BARANGAY TANODS SHALL ALSO BE ENTITLED TO THE BENEFIT
GRANTED UNDER THIS SUB-SECTION.

In case of [ extreme urgency ] EMERGENCY, where there is no available
government hospital or institution, the barangay official concerned may submit
himself for immediate medical assistance to the nearest private clinic, hospital or
institution and the expenses not exceeding [ Five thousand pesos ( P 5,000.00 ) ]
SEVEN THOUSAND PESOS ( P 7,000.00 ) that may be incurred therein shall be
chargeable against the funds of the barangay concemed.
4) BE ENTITLED TO A LUMP SUM RETIREMENT PAY EQUIVALENT TO ONE
(1) YEAR HONORARIUM, BUT IN NO CASE SHALL EXCEED ONE
HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS ( P 100,000.00 ) 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
NINE (9) YEARS IN SERVICE AT THE TIME OF RETIREMENT.

AS USED IN THIS SUB-SECTION, THE TERM ‘RETIREE’ SHALL INCLUDE
ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS
AND BARANGAY DAY CARE WORKERS.

141 (5) xxx
[5] (6) xxx

(0) 0x
(d) xxx

SECTION 2. Barangay Retirement Fund - There is hereby created a Barangay
Retirement Fund (BRF) which shall be used to fund the retirement of barangay officials
provided in this Act. The amount equivalent to one percent (1%) of the share of the


national government under Section 284 of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, shall be
used for this purpose.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall administer and
ensure the appropriate disbursement of the Fund.

SECTION 3. Rules and Regulations - The Department of Budget and Management
(DBM), in coordination with the DILG, shall issue the rules and regulations necessary
for the effective implementation of this Act.

SECTION 4. Repealing Clause - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 5.  Effectivity Clause - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after

its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved.