ORIGINAL COPY

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Republic of the Philippines »
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RECEIVED &

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
. 198

House Bill No.

INTRODUCED BY REPR!

NTATIVE ARTHUR C. YAP

EXPLANATORY NOTE

According to the Local Government Code, the Barangay is the country’s basic
political unit. It serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government
policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community. It is the forum
wherein the collective views of the people is expressed, crystallized and considered. It is
the level where small disputes may be amicably settled.

The Barangay is headed by the Punong Barangay. He is the front liner in securing
the general welfare of the Barangay and its inhabitants. His position is quite unique for he
is the only government official vested with the three governmental powers. These are the
executive, legislative and “quasi” judicial powers.

The Punong Barangay is the Chief Executive, or little president, in charge of
enforcing all laws and ordinances and maintaining public order within the Barangay. He
has primary responsibility over legislation, calling and presiding over the sessions of the
Sangguniang Barangay. He is the head of the Barangay justice system as he administers
the operation of the Katarungang Pambarangay.

‘The Punong Barangay is duly assisted by members of the Sangguniang Barangay.
It is the legislative body of the Barangay tasked with enacting ordinances to promote the
general welfare of their inhabitants. Aside from this, the Sanggunian members, or the
Kagawads, assist the Punong Barangay in the discharge of his duties and functions. They
also act as peace officers in the maintenance of public order and safety.

Completing the cast of Barangay officials are the Barangay Treasurer and
Secretary. These two officials are appointed by the Punong Barangay.

Unlike most public officials, these Barangay officials perform not just full time,
but “24-7” work. Their constituencies expect them to attend to their needs, all of the time.
‘There is no observance of holidays or rest days, There is no regard for after office hours
and overtime work is not with additional pay. There is even no “nightshift” differential
for midnight patrol duty.

With such heavy work load, most Barangay officials can no longer afford to take
any other job or even small enterprise. Thus, their source of income or livelihood is the
honoraria, allowances and other emoluments they receive as Barangay officials.


Unfortunately, the Local Government Code, which was enacted in 1991 or two
(2) decades ago, prescribes only a minimum of P1,000 and P600 monthly honoraria,
respectively, for Punong Barangay and the other Barangay officials. By any regional
standard, such prescription is way below the minimum wage level.

This bill proposes to peg the honoraria or allowances of Barangay officials at
minimum wage levels. For the Punong Barangay, it secks to place it at minimum wage
plus 20% premium.

Hopefully, the approval of this proposed measure would trigger the
commencement of ways and means of ameliorating the economic condition of our
Barangay officials. This is to properly compensate them for the services they render to
their constituenci

In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.



Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 198

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE ARTHUR C. YAP

AN ACT
PRESCRIBING THE HONORARIA OR ALLOWANCES OF
BARANGAY OFFICIALS AT MINIMUM WAGE LEVELS,
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE SECTION 393 PARAGRAPH (a)
OF REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7610, AS AMENDED, OTHERWISE
KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991, 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 “Minimum Wage for
Barangay Officials Act of 2013”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It hereby declared the policy of the State
to ameliorate the economic condition of Barangay officials and to properly compensate
them for the services they render to their constituencies.

SECTION 3. Amendment of Section 423 of the Local Government Code.
Section 393 Paragraph (a) of Republic Act No. 7160, 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 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 THE PRESCRIBED MINIMUM WAGE IN THE


REGION per month for the sangguniang barangay members, barangay

treasurer, and barangay secretary AND ONE HUNDRED TWENTY

PERCENT (120%) OF THE PRESCRIBED MINMUM WAGE IN THE

REGION PER MONTH EQUIVALENT FOR THE PUNONG

BARANGAY: xxx;

xxx

SECTION 5. Separability Clause. - \f any provision of this Act, or any part
thereof, is declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity
of the other portions.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, presidential
decrees, proclamations, rules, regulations, issuances and enactments of parts thereof
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 7. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its
complete publication in the Official Gazette of in a newspaper of general circulation in

the Philippines, whichever comes earlier.

APPROVED.