“Sana all––sana all the time it’s Christmas for our barangay workers.”
This was the response of Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy V to the news that President Rodrigo Duterte has approved a P3,000 bonus for barangay officials this Christmas.
“It is time to treat barangay workers like full-time government employees.”
The news was relayed by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go during the signing ceremony of Republic Act 11462, which moves the barangay elections to December 5, 2022.
Dy, a principal author of the measure in Congress, said that barangay officials all over the country were overjoyed when they learned that the President had approved the release of the Christmas incentive.
“Barangay leaders know they can count on the President’s support, and that is clearly reflected in the immediate postponement of the barangay polls and now this Christmas bonus,” said Dy, the former President of the Liga ng mga Barangay.
“These developments make them optimistic with regard to the passage of measures that will provide them with decent, regular wages and benefits like GSIS coverage,” said the young solon.
Dy is the author of House Bill (HB) No. 4324, or the Magna Carta for Barangays, and HB No. 2298, An Act Amending Republic Act No. 8291, Also Known as the GSIS Act of 1997, Expanding the Membership and Benefits of the Government Insurance System to Cover Barangay Officials.
HB No. 4324 would improve the salaries of barangay officials, with the Punong Barangay receiving a salary equivalent to that of a Sangguniang Bayan (SB) member.
“The least we can do is compensate them properly for their services.”
Sangguniang Barangay members, on the other hand, will receive 80% of the salary of an SB member, while the Barangay Secretary and Barangay Treasurer will receive the equivalent of 75% of the salary of an SB member.
The salary grades (SG) of SB members range from SG 24 to SG 27 depending on whether the SB member serves in a municipality or city.
Depending on the financial capacity of the municipality or city, an SB member could take home between 60% to 100% of the salary under a given SG.
Barangay officials are currently compensated in the form of honorariums not less than P1,000 per month for the Punong Barangay and P600 each per month for the Sangguniang Barangay members, Barangay Treasurer and Barangay Secretary.
“It is time to treat barangay workers like full-time government employees because work in the barangay is a 24/7 job with no set hours,” said Dy.
“The least we can do is compensate them properly for their services, and to provide them the peace of mind that comes with GSIS coverage.”