Barangay welfare law needs annual budget

CEBU, Philippines - The Talisay City Council may have approved the proposed Barangay Welfare Ordinance but city budget officer Edgar Mabunay said there is no assurance the benefits, such as medical, financial, burial assistance to all barangay officials and barangay personnel, will be granted this year.

Mabunay said there was no appropriation in the 2013 annual budget for the benefits and insurance of the barangay officials and personnel.

He said the city should set aside a budget and appropriation for this ordinance.

Last Tuesday’s session, the city council already passed on first reading and was referred to the committee on finance and laws for review and recommendation.

Authored by Association of Barangay Council president and ex-officio City Councilor Charles Basillote, the ordinance aims to help barangay officials, its staff with plantilla positions, and their families in alleviating the burdens brought about by sickness, accident, and death.

Basillote said if the ordinance is approved on third and final reading, the city budget will be tasked to look for funding.

Under the ordinance, the benefits cover barangay officials and staff with plantilla positions, such as the members of Lupong Tagapamayapa, Day Care workers, barangay nutrition scholars, and barangay health workers.

Under Article IV, Section 5, barangay officials and personnel will be granted medical/financial/burial assistance in cases of sickness and, as an outpatient, the concerned barangay official and personnel (patient) shall be extended free medicine as indicated in the medical prescription from the City Health Office.

In the event that medicinal supplies are not available, the patient shall be given financial assistance corresponding to the amount of the medicines required, but not to exceed P5,000 and could also be chargeable for regular laboratory tests the patient needs as well as X-ray and Ultra Sound.

In case of hospitalization due to sickness or accident, the concerned barangay official/personnel (patient) shall be extended financial assistance corresponding to the amount of medicines prescribed by the physician, medical tests/procedures needed such as CT Scan, MRI, prostheses, stainless for orthopedics and other incidental costs while confined in any hospital, the amount shall not exceed P12,000.00.

A P15,000 in assistance will be extended by the city government as burial assistance.

But only barangay officials and personnel who have rendered at least one year and is still in active service, and in good standing, with no legal encumbrances whatsoever, are entitled to avail of this assistance. (FREEMAN)