Quirino governor and Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines president Dax Cua thanked the Senate for tackling proposals to provide a P3,000 monthly allowance, among other benefits, to barangay workers.
“I wish to thank the Senate for deliberating on the Magna Carta for Barangay Officials, Personnel and Volunteer Workers. I hope that this measure will be enacted soon in recognition of the valuable role that our barangay workers play in our communities,” Cua said.
Cua said the Magna Carta is a long overdue measure to address the precarious situation faced by barangay workers.
If passed, barangay officials would be considered as regular government employees with fixed salaries, allowances, insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and such other fringe benefits for which regular employees may be entitled to instead of just receiving honoraria.
Barangay workers would also be given preferential treatment if they seek employment in national government agencies.
The House of Representatives had already approved its version of the bill in December 2022.
The House version provides for benefits like monthly honoraria worth P3,000; hazard allowance not less than P1,000 per month; subsistence allowance for meals worth P100; and transportation allowance worth P1,000 per month for accredited barangay health workers who are actively and regularly performing their duties and responsibilities.
Cua emphasized the importance of barangay workers in ensuring the welfare of Filipinos in their respective communities.
“Due to the nature of their work, the duties of our barangay workers run 24/7. Wala na nga silang pahinga, hahayaan pa ba natin na hindi sila kumita ng sapat para sa mga sakripisyo nila?” Cua said.
Barangay workers would also be given preferential treatment if they seek employment in national government agencies.
He added that the Magna Carta is a long overdue measure to address the precarious situation faced by barangay workers.
“Our barangay workers deserve to be able to live a life of dignity. Even their families are at risk because they are frontliners without insurance. Paano na lang ang pamilya nila kung may mangyari sa kanila dahil sa kanilang tungkulin?”
“Sa tulong ng panukalang batas na ito ay magkakaroon sila ng oportunidad na bigyan ng mas maayos na pamumuhay ang kanilang mga pamilya,” said the governor.
