Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

7296

HOUSE BILL NO.

Introduced by Representatives
HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR. and ESTRELLITA B. SUANSING.

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REGULARIZATION AND SALARY STANDARDIZATION
OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Barangay officials are the primary providers of the government’s goods and services
ranging from matters pertaining to public health, public order and safety, to disaster risk
reduction and management as shown by the local government units’ response to the COVID-
19 pandemic. The national government depends on barangay officials, most especially in the
remotest parts of the country, in the facilitation of various government projects at the most
basic political unit. According to the survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority in 2018, there
are 42,044 barangays in the country, which makes them the backbone of civil service.

However, barangay officials only receive monthly honoraria instead of fixed monthly
salaries. Moreover, they are not entitled to the same employment benefits and privileges of
other local government officials. In fact, they are ranked the lowest among all civil servants in
terms of remuneration, benefits and privileges enjoyed and received.' It is therefore necessary
for the national government to provide for their regularization and salary standardization that
are commensurate with the role they perform in the delivery of social services.

Thus, this proposed bill endeavors to address this desire to give the much-needed
recognition of the vital and immeasurable contribution of barangay officials to our nation by
declaring all barangay officials as regular government officials while providing a salary
standardization that is fitting to their role as dignified civil servants.

The bill proposes that the Punong Barangay, members of the Sangguniang Barangay,
the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson, the Barangay Secretary, and Barangay Treasurer in
all barangays shall be declared regular government employees, and as such entitled to fixed
salaries, allowances, insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits and such other
incentives and fringe benefits which, under Civil Service laws, rules and regulations, a regular
government employee may be entitled to. On the other hand, Barangay officials, personnel,

" DILG backs bill outlining salary structure for barangay officials, Business World, January 28, 2019, available at
ps:/wanw bworldonline comdilg-back-bil-outlining-salary-structure-fr-barangay-oicials/


and volunteer workers shall be entitled to salaries, benefits or allowances as compensation for
services they rendered.

The bill also mandates the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to develop
a standardized Position Classification and Compensation Scheme for Barangay Officials,
Personnel, and Volunteer Workers, taking into consideration the educational qualification and
nature of work performed and the financial capability of barangays, and subject to the minimum
qualification standards and guidelines to be prescribed by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

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

HORAQAO P. SUANSING, JR.
2™ District of Sultan Kudarat 1* District of Nueva EciJa


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No._7296

Introduced by Representatives
HORACIO P. SUANSING, JR. and ESTRELLITA B. SUANSING

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE REGULARIZATION AND SALARY STANDARDIZATION
OF BARANGAY OFFICIALS, APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR

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 "Barangay Officials Salary
Standardization Act of 2020."

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to raise the economic and
social status of barangay officials and provide reforms to ensure the barangay’s enjoyment of
local autonomy for the effective performance of its role as the primary planning and
implementing unit of government programs, projects, and activities, and as a forum in which
the collective views of the people in the community may be crystallized and considered.

SECTION 3. Declaration of Salary Standardization of Barangay Officials. ~ 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 entitled to fixed salaries, allowances, insurance, medical
and dental coverage, retirement benefits and such other incentives and fringe benefits which,
under Civil Service laws, rules and regulations, a regular government employee may be entitled
to.

SECTION 4. Position Classification and Compensation Scheme for Barangay Officials,
Personnel and Volunteer Workers. - Barangay officials, personnel, and volunteer workers
shall be entitled to salaries, benefits or allowances as compensation for services they rendered.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) shall develop a standardized Position
Classification and Compensation Scheme for Barangay Officials, Personnel, and Volunteer
Workers, taking into consideration the educational qualification and nature of work performed
and the financial capability of barangays, and subject to the minimum qualification standards
and guidelines to be prescribed by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).

Such position classification and compensation and compensation scheme shall conform with
the following guidelines:


(a) The Position Classification and Compensation Scheme for Barangay Officials and
Personnel shall be comprised of three salary grades, namely:

i, Barangay Salary Grade I for barangay appointive officials and other
barangay personnel;

ii, Barangay Salary Grade II for barangay elective officials in the Sangguniang
Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan with the exception of the Punong
Barangay, and

iii, Barangay Salary Grade ITI for Punong Barangay.

(b) The minimum salary for barangay officials and personnel shall be as follows:
i, Barangay Salary Grade I - Fifteen Thousand Pesos (P15,000.00)

ii, Barangay Salary Grade Il - Twenty-Five Thousand Pesos (P25,000.00)
iii, Barangay Salary Grade III - Thirty-Five Thousand Pesos (P35,000.00)

Provided, that no barangay official or personnel shall suffer any reduction, diminution
or withdrawal of salaries and benefits already enjoyed by the barangay official or
personnel concerned: Provided, further that the budget ceiling for annual personnel
services appropriations of fifty-five percent (55%) of the total annual income actually
realized from local sources during the next preceding fiscal year, as provided in Section
331(b) of Republic Act No. 7160, as amended, otherwise known as the "Local
Government Code of 1991," shall apply.

(©) Barangay volunteer workers shall be entitled to honoraria and other benefits,
incentives or allowances to be determined in accordance with this Act.

SECTION 5. Barangay Official Eligibility. — Pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160 and Civil
Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 13, s. 2012, Barangay Officials shall be
qualified for Barangay Official Eligibility based strictly on completion of term of office,
subject to qualifications and provisions of the rules of the Civil Service Commission.

SECTION 6. Appropriations. ~ The amount necessary to implement the provisions of this Act
shall be funded by the National Government under the Annual General Appropriations Act
(GAA).

SECTION 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision or part hereof is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions
hereof.

SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, orders, and issuances, or portions thereof,
which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended or
modified accordingly.

SECTION 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,