“It is time for our barangay officials to join the civil service, with just compensation and remuneration, and not just allowances and honoraria.”
This according to Quezon City Rep. Winston “Winnie” Castelo, chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila Development, and a champion for the rights and welfare of barangay workers.
Castelo filed House Bill 6962, or the Barangay Civil Service Act.
In his bill, he said that, “The barangay is considered as the basic political unit in our government. It is the most accessible forum to the public. Moreover, the barangay serves as a venue where the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized, considered, and where disputes among the constituents may be amicable settled.”
In the explanatory note, he mentioned that, “Barangay officials occupy an important position in our society and in our political hierarchy, given the myriad of duties and responsibilities assigned to them. It is only apt that they be compensated accordingly so as to reflect the recognition of their duties and responsibilities in local governance, in particular, and in society, in general.”
Section 393 of the Local Government Code or Republic Act 7160 only provides for allowances or honororia for barangay officials.
“In light of the barangay elections to be held this May 2018, it is necessary to fast track the passage of this bill in the spirit of justice and to promote good governance,” Castelo said.
“This provides more incentives to fuel their passion and to entice other young people to take up such office in the future,” Castelo added.
The key provisions of his bill provides for the following:
Its section 3 provides for the following:
The Punong Barangay of all barangays shall receive the following monthly salary in accordance with their respective salary grades in Republic Act No. 6758, as amended, otherwise known as the Salary Standardization law based on the following classification:
Barangays in Cities, both component and highly urbanized, with populations of:
Less than two thousand persons – Salary Grade 12
Two Thousand or more but less than five thousand persons – Salary Grade 17
Five Thousand or more but less than Ten thousand persons – Salary Grade 19
Ten Thousand or more but less than twenty five thousand persons – Salary Grade 21
Twenty five thousand or more persons – Salary Grade 23
B. Barangays in Municipalities, with corresponding populations of:
Less than two thousand persons – Salary Grade 10
Two thousand or more but less than five thousand persons – Salary Grade 14
Five thousand or more persons – Salary Grade 17
Its section 4 provides for the following:
The members of the Sangguniang Barangay, otherwise known as “Kagawads,” shall be entitled to salaries 3 grades lower than the Punong Barangay.
Its section 5 provides for the following:
Other Barangay officials, such as provided in section 387 of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 such as the Barangay Treasurer, Barangay Secretary, and the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman, may be entitled to Honorarium and Allowances commensurate to the size of the barangay as provided for in the ordinances of their respective cities or municipalities.
Its section 6 provides for the following:
All government insurance and health insurance coverage, such as but not limited to coverage under the Government Insurance System (GSIS), Philhealth, and Pag-Ibig Fund, shall be extended to all barangay officials referred to in the bill.
“We need to professionalize our basic political units, and make them world-class. This process begins with fixing their compensation and remuneration system,” Castelo concluded.