Rep. Nograles files Magna Carta bill for barangay officials

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Barangay officials all over the country will soon be included in the category of government-salaried workers, with their terms extended as well until 2023.

This was disclosed by Representative Karlo Nograles (1st district, Davao), chairman of the House appropriations committee, who had filed a bill, also known as the Magna Carta for Barangay Officials, for them to also avail of the benefits given to all other elected public officials.

Nograles visited Dumaguete City and told barangay officials there, during a meeting, that his bill is being scheduled for discussion before the committee on local government, chaired by Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr. (1st dist., South Cotabato), as soon as Congress resumes session last week of this month.

While hoping that the Magna Carta for Barangay Officials bill will be signed into law before their term expires, Nograles said "there's no reason not to include barangay officials in the category of government-salaried workers because they are also elected like the municipal and city councilors, mayors, vice mayors, governors, board members, congressmen, senators, up to the president."

To date, thousands of barangay officials end their regular term of nine years, but upon expiration, they "receive nothing, not even a certificate of completion, while other public officials are complete with GSIS, Pag-ibig and PhilHealth benefits."

Nograles also announced another proposed bill in Congress, now pending deliberation, increasing the term of barangay officials up to 2023.

Authors of the proposed bill said feedbacks they gathered from the countryside showed that newly elected barangay officials "can't perform their tasks because "wala pa gani moinit ang ilang lingkoranan, mangampanya na pod og balik" for the next election.

"Public service is prejudiced, and barangay constituents will suffer especially if  big politicians will meddle in the affairs of the barangay, he said. (FREEMAN)