Senator Erwin Tulfo called for the transfer of the budget for the death benefits of Barangay Officials from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), for swifter distribution.
At the Senate deliberation for the 2026 DBM budget, Tulfo pointed out the tedious process for the family of a barangay official to avail of the death benefits when told that a claimant needs to go to the DILG provincial office, regional office, and central office afterwards. The additional layers of the process is due to the funds being lodged in the DBM budget.
“It might come only at the first death anniversary of the departed barangay official, because for instance, the family of the barangay official is from an island, they have to go to the provincial DILG then regional DILG, then DILG Central. That might take up time to the point that they will only receive the P22,000 worth of death benefits during the first death anniversary,” the Senate Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development Chairman explained.
This was affirmed by the Senate Finance Chairman Senator Win Gatchalian saying that due to the “complicated” process, family of barangay officials who died, tend not to claim it anymore.
This prompted Tulfo to suggest that the funds for death benefits be transferred to the DILG for swifter implementation.
“This will be easier for the family of the barangay official, especially those who live in far-flung areas.”
“Can we transfer the funds from DBM to DILG, instead? This will be easier for the family of the barangay official, especially those who live in far-flung areas,” the legislator said.
The Senate Finance Committee expressed its commitment to adopt Tulfo’s recommendation.
“So, we’ll thank you Senator Erwin for that suggestion and thank you very much for taking the cudgels of our barangay officials. This might be a small fund compared to the other line items but it goes a long way for our barangay officials,” Gatchalian noted.
“Many of barangay officials may not know about this death benefit.”
The neophyte lawmaker likewise surmised that many of barangay officials may not know about this death benefit, citing his encounters with them.
“Even in Metro Manila, when you ask the barangay officials, they will tell you that they do not have any benefits. But it turns out that they have death benefits from the DBM. They might not know about this,” he noted.
The Social Welfare Chief turned senator, then recommended a wider information dissemination campaign for barangay officials so they will become aware of the benefits.
The said death benefits which have a P50-million allocation in the 2026 budget, cover the barangay chairman, barangay council members, barangay treasurer, barangay secretary, the Sangguniang Kabataan members, and people’s representatives.
The family of a departed barangay chairman who died during his term can receive P22,000 of death benefits, while the family of departed barangay council members, barangay treasurer, barangay secretary, the Sangguniang Kabataan members, and people’s representatives, who died during their term can receive P12,000 death and burial benefits.
