SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

\%
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and t
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No. 1618 -

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 3317 by the
undersigned Rufus B. Rodriguez during the 15" Congress where it was
approved by the Committee on Local Government and substituted by House
Bill No. 6567. It was subsequently approved on 2™ reading, approved on 3%
reading and was transmitted to the Senate where it was not acted upon.

‘The barangay has been historically viewed as a mere political unit
tasked to organize the political life of a community However, the barangay
must now assume a more activist role in generating employment and income
for its members, notably the unemployed.

Since the barangay is the government unit closest to the people where
certain levels of executive, legislative and judicial functions are bestowed, it is
the proper vehicle to actualize the vision of people empowerment.

It is a fundamental fact, however. that people empowerment can
become a reality only if the people are well-equipped socially and
economically to harness much needed resources.

This bill seeks to empower the barangay by conferring upon it the right
to participate with the right of first refusal in all programs and projects, notably
those concerning the delivery of basic services affecting its jurisdiction and
members.

Also, it is the intention of this bill to seek the allocation of Two Hundred
Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00) per annum for six consecutive years for each
barangay. This amount shall be known as the Rural Livelihood and Economic
Development Fund to be used specifically for livelihood projects that shall
provide employment and increase the income of the people. Alternatively, it
can be used as seed money for cooperatives, as well as to finance
infrastructure projects.

Further, from its incorporation into the local government units,
barangay captains have become more active in community governance and
public service. Through various enactments, barangay captains have been
obliged to take various responsibilities which include, among others, keeping
the peace through the organization of foot patrols; arbitrating differences
between community members; assisting in the conduct of elections, and most
recently, assisting in the evacuation of communities in disaster areas caused
by natural calamity or war.

In these instances, it is not uncommon for barangay captains to literally
be in the front of a firing line. As in fact, several barangay captains have lost
their lives in the service of their communities against criminals


Most often, barangay captains assume these responsibilities with little
compensation. Moreover, the danger associated with these functions puts
them in a higher risk in terms of insurance coverage. More importantly, the
present insurance coverage pursuant to Republic Act No. 8291 (An Act
amending PD1146 as amended, expanding and increasing the coverage and
benefits of GSIS, instituting reforms therein, and for other purposes), covering
all government officials is inadequate with regard to the payment of medical,
death and burial expenses.

‘As such, this bill seeks to provide additional insurance benefits to
barangay captains over and above what they are currently receiving under the
GSIS in recognition of their contribution to the community and as an
encouragement for them to honestly continue their public service.

RUFUS B.\RO} )UEZ

Ws a
MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES —)
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
_Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No,_1618

AN ACT

PROVIDING ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING BARANGAY
TANODS, MEMBERS OF THE LUPON NG TAGAPAMAYAPA, BARANGAY
HEALTH WORKERS AND BARANGAY DAY CARE WORKERS, A LUMP.
SUM RETIREMENT PAY EQUIVALENT TO ONE (1) YEAR HONORARIUM,
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 House of Representatives 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:

“SEC. 393. Benefits of Barangay Officials. - (a) Barangay
officials, including 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 thousand pesos (P1,000.00)
per month for the punong barangay and Six hundred pesos
(P600.00) per month 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.

*(b) xxx

(1) Xxx

*(2) xxx

“(3)BE ENTITLED TO A LUMP SUM RETIREMENT PAY
EQUIVALENT TO ONE (1) YEAR HONORARIUM, BUT IN NO
CASE SHALL EXCEED ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND PESOS
(P100,000.00) 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
THE RETIREMENT.


“AS USED IN THIS SUBSECTION, THE TERM ‘RETIREE’
SHALL INCLUDE ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING
BARANGAY TANODS, MEMBERS OF THE LUPON NG
TAGAPAMAYAPA, BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS AND
BARANGAY DAY CARE WORKERS.

“ (3 )14) xxx

“ [A)MS) xxx

“ [5)1(6) xxx

* (0) xxx

*(d) xxx"

SEC. 2. _ Barangay Retirement Fund Created. — There is hereby created a
Barangay Retirement Fund (BRF) which shall be used to fund the retirement
of barangay officials mentioned in this Act. The amount equivalent to one
percent (1%) of the share of the national government under Section 284 of
the Local Government Code of 1991, 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.

SEC.3. Rules and Regulations. - The Department of Budget and
Management, in coordination with the DILG, shall issue the necessary rules
and regulations to implement this Act.

SEC. 4. Repealing Clause. — Alll laws, executive orders, issuances, rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC.5. —_Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days
after its publication in any newspaper of general circulation

Approved