HIGHLIGHTING THEIR CRUCIAL ROLE IN PUBLIC SERVICE DELIVERY, BONG GO PUSHES FOR MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAYS

Considering their crucial role to public service delivery in their respective communities, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go maintained the need to develop interventions that would significantly benefit barangay officials so they could better serve their constituents as he continues to push his proposed measure, Senate Bill No. 197 which, if enacted, would provide a Magna Carta for Barangays.

In his manifestation during the public hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government on Tuesday, March 21, Go discussed his proposed measure, including the provisions that seek to promote the welfare of barangay officials and workers.

“I originally filed the Magna Carta for Barangays last 18th Congress and I refiled it dito po sa 19th Congress since I believe that we need to improve the general welfare of our barangays and their residents, raise the economic and social status of barangay officials, and grant every barangay the basic facilities for decent, healthy and comfortable living,” underscored Go.

“Naintindihan ko po ang trabaho po ng ating mga barangay officials. Matagal po akong nagtrabaho kay dating pangulong (Rodrigo) Duterte (kahit noong mayor pa siya). Yan po ang unang-una – sa umaga pa lang, nakapila na yan, dala-dala ang mga problema ng barangay. At pinakahuling oras hanggang gabi, sila po yung nandyan sa baba, na talagang humihingi ng tulong at nagdadala po ng serbisyo. Lahat ng problema – patay, pasyente, away sa barangay, lahat. Lahat po ng problema sa barangay nila, sila po ang nag-aasikaso,” he cited.

The lawmaker likewise acknowledged the vital responsibilities of barangay leaders in delivering basic services and promoting the welfare of their constituents as they are in charge of implementing community development projects and programs. This is why Go has been advocating to provide them better pay and benefits.

“Napakalaki po ng tungkulin na ginagampanan ng ating mga barangay officials dahil sila ang frontliners sa pagseserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan. Sila ang pinakaunang tinatakbuhan ng ating mga kababayan. Kagaya nga noong kasagsagan ng pandemya, unang nilalapitan po ang barangay officials,” Go stressed.

“Walang pinipiling oras ang kanilang pagseserbisyo dahil sila ang unang pinupuntahan ng ating mga kababayan — mapa-kalamidad, sunog, pandemya, kriminalidad at maging paghatid ng mga pasyente sa ospital — kahit gabi po, 24 hours pong nagtatrabaho ang ating mga barangay officials,” he added.

If passed into law, barangay officials will be treated as regular government employees. The Punong Barangay, members of the Sangguniang Barangay, the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson, the barangay secretary and barangay treasurer will be entitled to salaries, emoluments, allowances such as hazard pay, representation and transportation allowance, 13th month pay and other benefits that regular government employees enjoy.

Under Go’s proposed measure, SBN 197, the Sangguniang Barangay will also be given the authority to determine the appropriate number of barangay tanods needed with permanent status during the administration of the Sangguniang Barangay which appointed them. They will likewise be entitled to honoraria, allowances and other benefits.

“Hindi naman lahat ng mga barangay ay pare-pareho ng peace and order situation. Merong mga mapayapa, merong problema talaga ang kriminalidad sa kanilang lugar,” Go explained.

Under the proposal, barangay tanods shall receive honoraria, allowances, insurance coverage and free medical care.

“Ito ay bilang pagkilala sa mahalagang papel ng ating mga barangay tanod sa pagpapanatili ng peace and order sa ating bansa. Nakikita ninyo po, sila yung naglalakad sa gabi, may hawak na batuta, nagtatrabaho po yan hanggang madaling-araw,” he said.

Furthermore, if the measure is enacted, all barangays will enjoy basic priorities, such as construction of at least a facility for drawing drinking water for every 1,000 residents; public transportation by asking government agencies to require public utility companies to provide minimum means of transportation; and at least a kindergarten, an elementary school for every barangay, and a high school for every five kilometers from the barangay center, a health center, and a barangay hall.

“As the basic political unit in our system of political governance, barangays serve as the primary planning and implementing unit of government programs, projects, and activities. It is also the forum in which the collective views of the people in the community may be crystallized and considered. It is my hope that this measure will further protect and enhance the local autonomy of barangays to ensure effective and efficient service to the people,” Go highlighted.

Go thanked Sen. JV Ejercito, who chairs the committee, as well as other senators who expressed support or filed similar measures such as Senate President Migz Zubiri, Sen. Raffy Tulfo, Sen. Win Gatchalian, and Sen. Sonny Angara.

“Sana po ay masuportahan itong proposed bill na aking inihain. Salamat po sa lahat at mga resource persons… for hearing this proposed legislation, thank you, Mr. Chair. Nagpapasalamat sila (brgy officials) sa inyo sa pagdinig nito. Nandito po sila sa likod natin at nakikinig. Full support po sila sa pagdinig na ito. Salamat po,” Go said as he delivered his manifestation after joining local leaders in a distribution of assistance to indigents in Sta. Maria, Bulacan that day.

In recent years, Go recommended to the Office of the President, under then president Rodrigo Duterte, the grant of PhP3,000 Christmas incentives to elected barangay officials, including Indigenous People Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs), to show appreciation for their hard work in their respective communities.