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

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‘Twentieth Congress S& sy
First Regular Session Ky.
4223

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAY TANODS, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS (BPSO), BARANGAY
POLICE OFFICERS (BPO), OR BARANGAY PEACEKEEPING AND SECURITY
OFFICERS, PROVIDING FOR THEIR RIGHTS, BENEFITS,
PROFESSIONALIZATION, WELFARE, MODERNIZATION, AND CAREER
DEVELOPMENT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article I, Section 11 of the Constitution affirms that the State values the dignity of
every The barangay tanods are the grassroots peacekeeping and public safety force of the
country. They are the first responders in law enforcement, disaster preparedness, and
community protection. Organized under the Local Government Code of 1991 as the “barangay
tanod brigades,” they function as civilian volunteers assisting barangay officials in maintaining
peace and order, preventing criminality, and ensuring community safety.

Despite their indispensable role, barangay tanods continue to receive minimal support.
Honoraria remain low and uneven, often dependent on the fiscal capacity of each barangay.
Many serve without adequate insurance coverage or retirement benefits, leaving them
vulnerable to injury, disability, or death in the line of duty. Equipment and training are often
lacking, and there is no clear career pathway that recognizes their service as a stepping stone
to formal government employment.

This bill seeks to address these gaps by enacting a Magna Carta for Barangay Tanods.
It consolidates their rights and privileges, ensures minimum compensation and allowances,
mandates insurance coverage, and provides retirement gratuity and death benefits. It establishes
a National Barangay Tanod Training Program under the Department of the Interior and Local
Government (DILG), in coordination with the Philippine National Police and the Philippine
Public Safety College, to standardize professionalization efforts.


The bill also creates a Barangay Tanod Welfare Fund for medical assistance,
scholarships, and legal defense, and mandates modemization through the provision of
uniforms, radios, motorcycles, and digital tools. Importantly, the measure opens a career
pathway by granting qualified barangay tanods Civil Service Subprofessional eligibility after
continuous satisfactory service and completion of training requirements, thereby integrating
them into the civil service system.

By recognizing barangay tanods as essential community peace and order personnel and
providing for their welfare and development, this bill strengthens the foundation of grassroots
governance and enhances national peace and order.

In view of the foregoing, the swift passage of this measure is earnestly sought.

RAYMOND, E. SALCEDA


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

‘Twentieth Congress
First Regular Session

4223

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representative RAYMOND ADRIAN SALCEDA

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAY TANODS, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS BARANGAY PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS (BPSO), BARANGAY
POLICE OFFICERS (BPO), OR BARANGAY PEACEKEEPING AND SECURITY
OFFICERS, PROVIDING FOR THEIR RIGHTS, BENEFITS,
PROFESSIONALIZATION, WELFARE, MODERNIZATION, AND CAREER
DEVELOPMENT, 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
Tanod.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. Its the policy of the State to recognize the indispensable
role of Barangay Tanods in maintaining peace and order, promoting public safety, and serving
as frontliners in disaster preparedness and community governance. Towards this end, the State
shall ensure their protection, professionalization, welfare, and career development, and provide
adequate support for the effective discharge of their duties.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Act, the term “Barangay Tanod” shall
refer to the members of the Barangay Tanod Brigades duly organized in every barangay
pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991. They are civilian volunteers appointed to
assist barangay officials in maintaining peace and order, preventing and suppressing
criminality, enforcing laws and ordinances, and responding to emergencies.

They are also known as Barangay Public Safety Officers (BPSO), Barangay
Peacekeeping and Security Officers (BPSO), Barangay Police Safety Officers (BPSO), or
Barangay Police Officers (BPO) in some localities, but for purposes of uniformity, they shall
collectively be referred to as “Barangay Tanod” under this Act.

SEC. 4. Rights and Privileges. Barangay Tanods shall enjoy the following rights and
privileges:


(a) Legal recognition as essential community peace and order personnel;

(b) Protection from retaliation, harassment, or undue interference while performing
official duties; and

(©) Priority access to training, equipment, and welfare programs as provided in this Act.
SEC. 5. Compensation and Benefits.

(a) Honoraria and Allowances. Barangay Tanods shall receive minimum honoraria,
hazard pay, transportation, and communication allowances, to be provided by their
respective barangays. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall establish augmentation
mechanisms for barangays with limited resources.

(b) Insurance and Benefits. Barangay Tanods shall be covered by the Philippine Health
Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), Social Security System (SSS) or Government
Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG
Fund).

(©) Retirement Gratuity. Barangay Tanods who have served at least fifteen (15) years
shall be entitled to a retirement gratuity equivalent to one year of honoraria and
allowances.

(@) Death and Disability Benefits. In case of death or permanent disability in the line of
duty, the family or dependents shall receive financial assistance from the Barangay
Tanod Welfare Fund as provided in this Act.

SEC. 6. Training and Professionalization.

(a) A National Barangay Tanod Training Program is hereby established under the
supervision of the DILG, in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and
the Philippine Public Safety College.

(b) The training shall cover peacekeeping, community policing, first aid, disaster risk
reduction and management, and human rights.

(©) Barangay Tanods shall undergo initial training within six (6) months of
appointment, and mandatory annual refresher courses thereafter.

SEC. 7. Civil Service Eligibility Pathway. Barangay Tanods who have completed at
least five (5) years of continuous and satisfactory service, and who have completed the
mandatory training and certification programs under this Act, shall be granted Barangay
Official Eligibility (BOE) equivalent to Civil Service Subprofessional eligibility, pursuant to
the rules of the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

This eligibility shall qualify them for appointment to positions in the career service that
require subprofessional eligibility, subject to the requirements of the CSC and applicable laws.


SEC. 8. Barangay Tanod Welfare Fund. There is hereby created a Barangay Tanod
Welfare Fund under the DILG for:

(a) Medical and hospitalization assistance;
(b) Scholarships for dependents;

(c) Legal assistance in cases filed in relation to official duties; and
(a) Emergency financial aid for injuries or deaths in the line of duty.

The Fund shall be sourced from the General Appropriations Act, contributions from
local government units (LGUs), and grants, donations, or endowments.

SEC. 9. Modernization and Equipment Support. The State shall ensure the
modemization of barangay peacekeeping through the provision of:

(a) Standardized uniforms and identification cards;
(b) Radios, flashlights, and other basic operational equipment;

(c) Motorcycles, bicycles, or patrol vehicles for barangays with large geographic
coverage; and

(d) Body cameras and digital tools for high-risk barangays.

The DILG shall prioritize disaster-prone areas and urban centers with higher crime
incidence.

SEC. 10. Legal Assistance. Barangay Tanods shall be entitled to free legal
representation and assistance in all administrative, civil, or criminal cases arising from the
lawful performance of their duties.

SEC. 11. Jmplementing Mechanism. The DILG, in consultation with the DBM, the
Department of Justice (DOJ), the CSC, and the PNP, shall promulgate the implementing rules
and regulations of this Act within ninety (90) days from its effectivity. Barangay Peace and
Order Councils shall integrate the strengthening of the Barangay Tanod in their annual plans.

SEC. 12. Appropriations. The amount necessary for the initial implementation of this
‘Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act under the budget of the DILG.
Local government units are encouraged to provide counterpart funds and support.

SEC. 13. Separability Clause. If any part or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining portions not affected thereby shall remain in full
force and effect.

SEC. 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations inconsistent
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.


SEC. 15. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,