Proposal ups barangay captain benefits sevenfold

Iloilo City lone district Rep. Julienne Baronda recently filed HB 4374, which seeks to increase honoraria for barangay officials. According to the legislator, current compensation is not consistent with their duties and responsibilities.
“Barangay officials serve the public practically 24/7,” she stressed. “Their constituents knock on their doors—even in the wee hours of the morning—asking for help.”
“They are at the forefront of each and every event that happens in their barangays,” the congresswoman continued. “The least we could do is increase their honoraria in return for the service they do to the people.”
The bill seeks to amend RA 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.
The current law quotes honoraria at “One thousand pesos (P1,000.00) per month for the punong barangay and six hundred pesos (P600.00) per month for the sangguniang barangay members, barangay treasurer, and barangay secretary.” Baronda’s bill would up the figure for barangay captains to P7,000; while the other named officials would see their entitlement increase to P6,500.
Additionally, the lawmaker included barangay tanods and members of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa who, if the law is passed, would receive P4,000 a month.
Meanwhile, the bill would also guarantee insurance coverage, free healthcare, exemption from tuition and matriculation fees, and civil service eligibility.
Elected barangay officials would also be grant preference for government positions./WDJ