Press Release
January 23, 2019

Pimentel wants barangay officials considered as regular gov't employees

A bill has been filed by Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III seeking to declare barangay officials as regular government employees.

Recognizing the crucial role that barangay officials play, Pimentel said: "As the basic political unit, the importance of barangays in our system of government cannot be overemphasized. It is therefore fitting that measures to promote the welfare and prosperity of barangays be enshrined in a Magna Carta to give due recognition to the crucial role they play."

In proposing the Magna Carta for Barangays, Pimentel said the punong barangay should have a salary equivalent to that of a sangguniang bayan member of his municipality or city.

Members of the sangguniang barangay should receive an amount equivalent to 80 percent of the salary of their sangguniang bayan members while the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chair, barangay secretary and barangay treasurer should have a pay amounting to 75 percent of the salary of their sangguniang bayan members, the senator said.

"As such, they should be entitled to the salary, emoluments, allowances, benefits such as insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement and all other fringe benefits which a regular government employee may be entitled to," Pimentel said.

Pimentel also seeks to empower the barangays in the dispensation of funds by allowing the automatic release of their share from national taxes and the transfer of those appropriated for maintenance of roads and bridges within its area of jurisdiction.

The proposed measure will likewise guarantee mandatory share of barangays in taxes, fees and other charges collected from residents or entities operating within the area.

The bill also guarantees the provision of basic necessities such as regular supply of clean and potable water, public transportation, schools, health centers and barangay halls to every barangay.

Other benefits that Pimentel wants implemented in every barangay are: sponsoring at least one scholarship grant every year to any bachelor degree to bonafide residents of the barangay; priority employment to residents in every barangay in any government construction and development project within the barangay; and the establishment of cooperative enterprises in every barangay.

These proposed provisions, Pimentel said, are based on the general principles that the government should be more attentive in the development of the barangays, allowing them to have the authority and capability to handle its concerns on its level.

"Self-help or people power shall be the guiding principle in all barangay development projects," he said.

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