BARANGAY officials nationwide may soon become members of the Social Security System (SSS) at no cost to them.

This was assured by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez to the thousands of barangay officials during the Liga ng mga Barangay national convention held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Romualdez is the author of a proposal in the House of Representatives to give barangay officers a fixed term of office of six years.

He said he has already met with the president of SSS on his advocacy of making barangay officials as members of the pension fund so they could be covered by life insurance and enjoy lifetime pension.

“Nagkaroon ako ng pag-uusap kamakailan lamang kasama ang Pangulo ng SSS upang matugunan ang inyong pangangailangan sa proteksyon o seguridad habang kayo ay nasa serbisyo,” he said.

“Umaasa ako na sa lalong madaling panahon, lahat kayo ay magiging miyembro na ng SSS. Sa sandaling mangyari ito, agad na kayong mabibigyan ng life insurance at sa patuloy na pag-iipon natin sa pondo ng SSS, maaari rin kayong mag-qualify sa lifetime pension,” he said.

He added that the House is considering approving a bill mandating local government units to set aside funds for the monthly SSS premium contribution of barangay officers.

“Sa ganitong paraan, hindi na ninyo iisipin ang buwanang hulog sa SSS,” the leader of the 300-plus-strong House stressed.

He pointed out that he and his colleagues understand the grassroots leaders’ anxiety on their welfare and that of their families while they are serving their communities.

“Bago kayo lumabas, yung hindi pa miyembro ng SSS, pwede na kayo mag-rehistro,” Speaker Romualdez said, noting the SSS has set up 50 computer terminals at the lobby of the WTC to accommodate the registration of village officials.

Following the message of Speaker Romualdez, SSS President Rolando Macasaet said that apart from the SSS insurance coverage and pension benefits, the leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives also sought the condonation of penalties for unpaid loans of village officials who are already members of the pension system.

“Pumunta lang po kayo sa SSS, mag apply kayo ng Consoloan at ipakita ninyo ang ID ninyo na barangay kapitan kayo o kagawad kayo at iwi-waive ko lahat ng penalties,” Macasaet said, adding that they could pay the balance of the principal in the next five years.

Meanwhile, as for his proposal to give barangay officers a term of office of six years, Speaker Romualdez said he realizes the challenges they face.

“Dahil dito, minabuti ko na mag-akda ng panukalang batas na layong gawing anim na taon ang fixed-term ng mga halal na barangay officials. Sa ganitong paraan, magkakaroon kayo ng sapat na oras upang magplano at magpatupad ng mga pang-matagalang programa para sa ikauunlad ng inyong barangay,” he said.

“Sa loob ng anim na taon, hindi na kayo maaabala ng mga isyung elektoral at makakapagtuon kayo ng buong atensyon sa serbisyo sa inyong mga ka-barangay. Makakabuo tayo ng matatag na pamumuno sa barangay at masisigurong sustainable ang mga proyekto at programa,” he said.

He added that the House is likewise working on passing the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays.

He highlighted the important role they play in linking their communities to the national government and in delivering public services.

“Ang Liga ng mga Barangay ay isa sa mga pinaka-mahalagang organisasyon sa ating bansa ngayon dahil sa papel na ginagampanan ninyo sa ating mga komunidad,” he said.

Speaker Romualdez told them that they are likewise the voice of their constituents.

He thanked them for their tireless service to their communities.

“Nais ko muling magpasalamat sa inyong lahat sa inyong walang sawang paglilingkod at dedikasyon sa inyong mga barangay. Patuloy tayong magtulungan para sa ikabubuti ng bawat komunidad sa buong bansa,” he said.