Manila, Philippines – In order to promote welfare of Barangays and its officials, the House of Representatives has opened the floor to discuss the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays.
On Thursday, the House Sub Committee on Local Officials and Personnel conducted a session to tackle House Bill No. 3533 or The Magna Carta for Barangays—a bill authored by House Speaker Bojie Dy.
Speaking before the Committee, Dy urged his fellow lawmakers to urgently pass the bill which he noted as long overdue.
Citing experience as previous Barangay Chairman, Dy recognized the efforts and sacrifices of Barangay officials and that their efforts deserve to be reciprocated.
The bill, he added, also seeks to strengthen the capability of the Barangay as an institution.
The proposed measure seeks to declare Barangay officials, until the Treasury level, as regular government employees entitled with fixed salaries, allowances, insurance, and benefits.
During the hearing, the committee proposed an amendment aiming to cover Barangay officials with government benefits including Government Service Insurance System, PhilHealth, at PAG-IBIG.
Moreover, the bill aims to ensure prioritization of basic priorities in the Barangay, including drinking water, accessible transportation, schools, health centers, and barangay halls.
The proposed bill also sets policies ensuring local autonomy of the Barangay, including taxes, fees, and funds; as well as the miscellaneous matters like scholarships, employments, and enterprises.
The Department of Budget and Management and the Department of the Interior and Local Government will promulgate rules and regulations as required with the ball.
In line with this, the committee shall set the next discussions with the technical working group regarding the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays bill.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News