1,744 barangay tanods get P3 thousand in cash aid

CEBU, Philippines — Barangay tanods (village watchmen) from Cebu’s first district received twice as much as the usual annual financial incentive from the provincial government.

Instead of the past cash incentives of P1,500, tanods were pleasantly surprised to receive P3,000 each.

The distribution was done during the tanods’ general assembly held at the Minglanilla Sports Complex yesterday.

The increase was announced by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia in the beginning of her administration. This came along with the 100 percent increase in financial incentives for frontline barangay workers.

In her speech during the assembly, Garcia said the increase in financial incentives was part of fulfilling her campaign promise.

“...karon kay nahibalik man ko, ania ako aron sa pagtuman sa akong saad. Kay ang saad, angay gayud tumanon,” she said.

Aside from the financial aid, the 1,744 tanods also received tanod kits. Each kit comprises of a vest, flashlight and a hand club.

Marciana Edullantes, a tanod of Barangay Cantularoy in Sibonga town, said the increase in incentives made her and her fellow tanods happy.

She added that they only receive P200 of honorarium per month from their barangay local government unit.

Despite this, Edullantes said she continues to persevere for the welfare of her barangay.

“Kabubot-on lang nako nga mosulod as tanod kay… ang akoa lang ang benepisyo sa akoang barangay,” she said.

This is the second wave of distribution of kits and financial incentives to tanods. The first set of distributions was held at the Municipality of Tudela for all tanods and frontline barangay service workers from Camotes Islands.

Tanods and frontline workers along with barangay captains, councilmen, treasurer and secretary will now be covered by a GSIS Group Accident Insurance.

According to Dr. Christina Giango, Provincial Health Office (PHO) head, barangay captains will be insured for P100,000,  while P60,000 for barangay councilmen.

Barangay treasurer, barangay secretary, frontline workers and barangay tanods, on the other hand, will be insured for P50,000

The tanods are also set to receive their official shirts to serve as their uniforms.  KQD (FREEMAN)