With the proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers being approved by Congress on third and final reading, Isabela 6th District Rep. Inno Dy has expressed hope that another measure seeking to strengthen barangays and improve the compensation and benefits received by barangay workers would also be passed soon.
“I hope that when Congress resumes in January, we can also pass the Magna Carta for Barangays. Pahabol sana nating Christmas gift sa mga walang pagod na nagtatrabaho para maitaguyod ang ating mga pamayanan,” Dy said.
The Magna Carta would further empower barangays by ensuring the availability in every barangay of basic services and facilities such as drinking water, transportation, and schools.
House Bill No. 1204 aims to make barangay officials regular government employees, which would entitle them to fixed salaries, insurance, and retirement benefits, among others.
“Our barangay officials are first responders to any concern that the community faces. They do not have regular hours because their duties are closely linked with the life of the community. Yet, for such a crucial job, they only get paid a pittance.
“They do not even have insurance should harm come to them in the performance of their jobs,” Dy lamented.
The lawmaker said it was high time that such injustice be corrected, and that his proposed measure would be a good way to express gratitude for the selfless service of barangay officials.
Moreover, the Magna Carta would further empower barangays by ensuring the availability in every barangay of basic services and facilities such as drinking water, transportation, and schools.
The bill mandates the construction/maintenance of at least one deep well with a pumping device for drawing drinking water for every 1,000 residents in each barangay.
Meanwhile, every municipality or city would also be tasked with coordinating with government agencies to require public utility companies to provide public transportation.
Each barangay would also be entitled to have at least one elementary school, and a high school every five kilometers from the barangay center; as well as a health center and a barangay hall.
House Bill No. 1204 aims to make barangay officials regular government employees, which would entitle them to fixed salaries, insurance, and retirement benefits, among others.
The just share of barangays from national taxes would also be automatically released to them every end of the calendar year. As well, all public funds from the National Treasury for the maintenance of barangay roads and bridges and similar construction works should also be transferred directly to the barangays’ general fund.
Every barangay would also be entitled to an equitable share of proceeds derived from the exploitation, utilization, and development of natural resources within its territory.
The measure also provides for the prioritization of barangay residents in the hiring of workers and laborers for any government construction or development within their respective barangays.
“As the core unit of government, we should have every motivation to improve our barangays. Nakadikit ang kalidad ng buhay ng mga kababayan natin sa kalidad ng serbisyo ng barangay, kaya’t dapat masigasig tayo sa pagpapabuti ng bawat barangay sa buong bansa,” said the solon.
