CEBU, Philippines - Barangay officials and frontline workers in the 22 barangays in Talisay City will soon be provided with hospitalization, medical, and burial assistance with the approval of an ordinance known as the “Barangay Workers Welfare Ordinance.â€
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 in time of their crisis situation and their families as well in alleviating the burdens being brought about by their sickness, accident, and death.
“It is the policy of the city to ensure that delivery of public services and facilities down to the barangay constituents is effectively and efficiently undertaken through responsible, competent, dedicated, and well-motivated barangay officials, including plantilla staff,†Basillote said.
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 P5,000.00 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.
The patient shall be covered in time of accidents such as vehicular accidents, assault or any forms thereat as prescribed/certified by any government physician or police blotter.
In extending burial assistance, in cases of death, the legitimate beneficiaries of the concerned official/personnel is entitled to receive P15,000.00 in assistance from the city government.
The assistance shall each have a maximum allowable amount that can be availed within the calendar year. Proper assessment, evaluation and recording shall be done by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) to be approved by the city mayor.
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.
A DILG certification of the rendered service and actual current service shall be required of the beneficiary.
In case of medical/financial assistance due to sickness or hospitalization, an original copy of medical certificate or certificate of confinement from a physician; original copy of certification from DILG certifying that the patient is a barangay official/personnel of the City; and original copy of medical prescription shall be submitted to the City Social Welfare and Development Office for processing of claim.
In case of accident, an original copy of medical certificate or certificate of confinement from a physician; original copy of police report/blotter; original copy of certification from DILG certifying that the patient is a barangay official/personnel of the City and a certification from the barangay indicating that the accident happened in line of duty or necessarily related to his/her function; and original copy of medical prescription shall be submitted to the CSWDO for processing of claim. (FREEMAN)