Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS,
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 6695

Introduced by: HON. MARISOL C. PANOTES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to increase the monetary and non-monetary benefits of barangay
officials, including barangay tanods and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa.

Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991
was considered as the linchpin of the administration of then President Corazon C.
Aquino due mainly to the gargantuan powers and responsibilities which had been
devolved to local government units. Even the officials occupying elective and appointive
posts in the smallest political units called barangays, enjoy certain powers,
responsibilities and privileges. These powers and responsibilities should be matched
with certain benefits and privileges considering the fact that these barangay officials are
considered the front-liners in the delivery of basic services to our people, especially in
far-flung barangays.

Several attempts had been made to increase the benefits and privileges of our
barangay officials but all the efforts of Congress in the past came to naught due to lack
of funds. It is necessary however, to find other ways in order to grant the long overdue
benefits to our hardworking barangay officials. Under this bill, an 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 proceeds
shall be lumped in the Barangay Retirement Gratuity Fund (BRGP) to be created for the
purpose, which shall be used to fund the retirement gratuity and other benefits of
barangay officials, including barangay tanods and members of the Lupon ng
Tagapamayapa. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall
administer and ensure the appropriate disbursement of the Fund.

In view of the foregoing reasons, the immediate approval of this important piece
of legislation is earnestly sought.

MARIAOL C. PANOTES:
‘epresentative
Second District, Camarines Norte


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. 6695

Introduced by: HON. MARISOL C. PANOTES

AN ACT

INCREASING THE HONORARIUM AAAND CHRISTMAS BONUS OF
BARANGAY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING BARANGAY TANODS AND
MEMBERS OF THE LUPON NG TAGAPAMAYAPA AND GRANTING A
LUMP SUM GRATUITY PAY EQUIVALENT TO ONE HUNDRED
THOUSAND PESOS (P100,000.00), 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 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 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]FTVE thousand
pesos (P[I] 5,000.00) per month for the punong barangay and [Six hundred]
THREE THOUSAND pesos (P[600] 3,000.00) per month for the sangguniang,
barangay members, [and] barangay treasurer, and barangay secretary AND
TWO THOUSAND PESOS (P2,000.00) FOR BARANGAY TANODS AND
MEMBERS OF THE LUPON NG TAGAPAMAYAPA: 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) The punong barangay, the sangguniang barangay members, the
barangay treasurer, and the barangay secretary shall also:


(1) Be entitled to Christmas bonus of at least [One] TWO thousand pesos
(P[1] 2,000.00) each, the funds for which shall be taken from the general fund of
the barangay or from such other funds appropriated by the national government
for the purpose[]: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT BARANGAY TANODS AND
MEMBERS OF THE LUPONG TAGAPAMAYAPA SHALL ALSO ENJOY THIS
BENEFIT.

(2) Be entitled, during their incumbency, to insurance coverage which
shall include, but shall not be limited to temporary and permanent disability,
double indemnity, accident insurance, death and burial benefits, in accordance
with Republic Act Numbered Sixty-nine hundred forty-two (R.A. No. 6942),
entitled “An Act Increasing the Insurance Benefits of Local Government Officials
and Providing Funds Therefor;”

(3) Be entitled to free medical care, including subsistence, medicines, and
medical assistance in any government hospital or institution: Provided, That such
hospital care shall include surgery or surgical expenses, medicines, X-rays,
laboratory fees, and other hospital expenses;

In case of extreme urgency where there is no available government
hospital or institution, the barangay official concerned may submit himself for
immediate attendance to the nearest private clinic, hospital or institution and the
expenses not exceeding Five thousand pesos (P5,000.00) that may be incurred
therein shall be chargeable against the funds of the barangay concerned;

(4) Be exempted, during their incumbency, from paying, tuition and
matriculation fees for their legitimate dependent children attending state college
or universities. He may likewise avail of such educational benefits in a state
college or university located within the province or city to which the barangay
belongs; [and]

(5) Be entitled to appropriate civil service eligibility on the basis of the
number of years of service to the barangay, pursuant to the rules and regulations
issued by the Civil Service Commission[.];

(6) BE ENTITLED TO A LUMP SUM RETIREMENT GRATUITY 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 GRATUITY 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 SUB-SECTION, THE TERM “RETIREE” SHALL
INCLUDE ALL BARANGAY OFFICIALS, INCLUDING BARANGAY TANODS.
AND MEMBERS OF THE LUPON NG TAGAPAMAYAPA;

(c) xxx XXX XXX

(d) All duly appointed members of the barangay tanod brigades, or their
equivalent{, which shall number not more than twenty (20) in each barangay,]
shall be granted insurance, FREE TUITION AND MATICULATION FEES FOR
THEIR LEGITIMATE DEPENDENT CHILDREN ATTENDING STATE
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, or other benefits during their incumbency,
chargeable to the barangay or the city or municipal government to which the
barangay belongs..

SEC. 2. Barangay Retirement Gratuity Fund (BRGE) Created, - There is
hereby created a Barangay Retirement Gratuity Fund (BRGF) which shall be used
to fund the retirement gratuity of barangay officials, including barangay tanods
and members of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa, as 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. Coverage. - The benefits granted under this Act shall cover all
barangay officials, barangay tanods and members of the lupon ng
tagapamayapa.

SEC. 4. Rules and Regulation. - The Department of Budget and
Management (DBM), in coordination with the DILG and Department of
Transportation (DOTr), shall issue the necessary rules and regulation to
implement this Act.

SEC. 5. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules
and regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended, repealed or
modified accordingly.

SEC. 6. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,