Senate OKs bill for retiring barangay execs

MANILA, Philippines – Barangay officials will be given retirement and other benefits once a bill approved on third and final reading in the Senate last Dec. 14 becomes law, Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said yesterday.

Senate Bill No. 12 provides a retirement pay of P100,000 for each qualified barangay chairman, P80,000 for each member of the Sangguniang Barangay and P50,000 each for barangay treasurer and secretary, barangay tanod, member of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa and barangay health and day care worker, Marcos said in his Christmas message to barangay workers.

“This is an early Christmas gift to you and your families,” he said in Filipino.

“I hope this will symbolize my heart-felt thanks for all your sacrifices and dedication for your communities.”

To receive the retirement benefit, a barangay official or worker must be at least 60 years old and with at least nine years of service.

As of June 7, 2013, some 95,616 barangay officials are qualified to receive the benefit, according to National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO).

The government needs P5.2 billion to pay for the retirement of the initial number of qualified officials and workers.

As funding source for the monetary benefit, the bill seeks to create the Barangay Retirement Fund, which shall be established through annual investments with an amount equivalent to one percent of the share of the national government in the Internal Revenue Allotment.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) shall administer and ensure the appropriate disbursement of the fund.

The bill is entitled “An Act Providing Barangay Officials, including Barangay Tanods, Members of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa, Barangay Health Workers and Barangay Day Care Workers Retirement Benefits.” 

Data from the DILG show 1,849,232 incumbent barangay officials nationwide.