Revilla urges colleagues to expedite Magna Carta for Barangays

Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla, Jr. reiterated Monday morning the importance of passing the Magna Carta for Barangay Workers during the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government.

The lawmaker filed a bill (S. No. 892) seeking the implementation of a Magna Carta for Barangays to help provide a decent salary increase and additional benefits for barangay officials and personnel.

"Ang layunin naman natin dito, kung paano tayo makakatulong sa barangay. Kung ano talaga yung mapag-usapan natin at kung ano talaga yung available funds na makakatulong sa kanila, yun ang pagtulungan nating maipasa," Bong Revilla said.

Representatives from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) pointed out that the budget for the provision of salary increase and additional benefits for barangay officials and workers can be derived from the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) of their respective local government units.

The veteran lawmaker also agreed with the suggestion that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) should not only orient barangay officials of their duties and responsibilities, being the only government unit mandated by the constitution to exercise executive, legislative and judicial powers, they must also be guided on developing their income-generating acumen to help increase their annual revenue.

During his 4th State of the Nation Address, Pres. Rodrigo Duterte asked the 18th congress to re-schedule the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections slated for next year, and urged the legislators to pass the Magna Carta for Barangays so that incumbent officials can avail of its benefits.