Talisay councilor seeks passage of barangay retirement pay bill

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Councilor Charles L. Basillote, chairman of the committee on barangay affairs, has asked President Benigno Aquino to certify urgent a Senate bill that seeks to provide all barangay officials and workers, a lump sum retirement pay equivalent to one (1) year honorarium.

In a proposed resolution, Basillote said House Bill 6567 was already passed last October 15, during the third regular session of the 15th Congress but failed to be passed in the Senate before Congress adjourned.

“There is a need to push again for the passage of H.B. 6567 or S.B. 1323 in the Senate when Congress resumes on June 3, 2013,” Basillote said.

According to Basillote, this retirement benefit is a show of sincere gesture, opposite from lip service, by giving substantial material tribute in recognition of the dedication and contribution of all barangay officials and barangay workers.

“The act manifests respect for beneficiaries by affording them the means to have a decent and comfortable living condition after their service,” he said.

The proposed measure, sponsored by Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., chairman of the Senate committee on local government, provides a lump sum retirement pay for qualified barangay officials and workers equivalent to their one-year honorarium, but not exceeding Php100,000.

Entitled to receive such benefits under the proposed legislation are barangay tanods, members of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa, barangay health workers and elective barangay officials.

The covered retiring barangay official should be at least 60 years of age, with a minimum of nine years in service at the time of retirement.

As funding source for the benefit, Marcos recommends the creation of a Barangay Retirement Fund (BRF), which shall be established through yearly investment equivalent to one percent of the National Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) share of the local government units.

The proposed measure mandates the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to administer the fund. (FREEMAN)