For barangay execs performance-based incentives pushed

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is supporting the suggestion that the distribution of additional monthly honorarium to barangay officials should be based on their performance.

San Roque barangay captain Lediore “Boy” Miranda, an ally of the mayor, said he will propose a resolution regarding his suggestion during the next meeting of the members of the Board of Directors of the Association of Barangay Councils.

Miranda has observed that despite the granting of the monthly additional honorariums to barangays officials, on top of their honorariums, several of them are still very lazy.

“Diri lang daan sa akong barangay, mga lima ka konsehal ang mga tapolan nga motunga lang sa barangay panahon sa sesyon,” Miranda told The Freeman.

During the Christmas celebration, City Councilor Dave Tumulak, who presides over the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, asked barangay officials to strictly enforce the ordinance that regulates the sale of firecrackers.

The ordinance, which prohibits the sale of firecrackers outside the South Road Properties, was reportedly not being implemented by barangay officials.

Rama and ABC president Philipp Zafra said Miranda’s proposal is good because it encourages barangay officials to work hard.

The city is granting P5,000 additional monthly honorarium to each of the 80 barangay captains, P3,000 to each barangay councilmen and P2,000 to barangay treasurers and secretaries.

Rama and Zafra said that while they support the suggestion of Miranda, there should be a proper guideline to avoid speculations that it is being done because of politics.

“Kinahanglang ayuhon g’yud na kay katahapan unya ta nga kadto’ng gipang-ibanan sa ilang honorarium gipanggukod tungod sa politika,” the mayor said.

Zafra said the ABC Board will discuss the matter during their next meeting. —NSA (FREEMAN)