SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go refiled in the 19th Congress a measure providing for a Magna Carta for Barangays. The filed Senate Bill seeks to further strengthen the barangays, recognizing their critical role as the country’s basic political unit and frontliner in the delivery of government services.

“We all know that the barangay and its officials are the immediate provider of frontline services to our fellow countrymen. Sila ang pinakaunang tinatakbuhan ng ating mga kababayan,” Go said.

“And it is because of this reason that we have to further improve the barangays and address the woes of our barangay officials,” he added.

Go said that this role played by barangay officials in the communities prompted him to push for a magna carta for barangay officials.

The senator also lamented the lack of regular salaries for barangay officials and workers despite their duties and responsibilities in their communities, which is why the senator continues to push for better pay and benefits for them.

“Barangay officials are our government’s frontliners — first to respond, first to provide and first to serve. Despite this, they receive simple honoraria for their service. That is why under the bill I filed, barangay officials will now be treated as regular government employees receiving benefits that regular government employees enjoy,” Go said.

“The Punong Barangay, members of the Sangguniang Barangay, the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson, the barangay secretary and barangay treasurer will now be entitled to salaries, emoluments, allowances such as hazard pay, representation and transportation allowance, 13th month pay and other benefits,” the senator added as he cited key provisions of the proposed measure.

All barangays will likewise enjoy basic priorities, such as construction of at least a facility for drawing drinking water for every 1,000 residents; public transportation by asking government agencies to require public utility companies to provide minimum means of transportation; and at least a kindergarten, an elementary school for every barangay, and a high school for every five kilometers from the barangay center, a health center and a barangay hall.

The barangays’ share from various taxes shall also be directly released to them without need for further action. All public funds from the National Treasury for the maintenance of barangay roads and bridges and similar construction works should also be transferred to the barangays’ general fund.

Go also mentioned that his proposed measure will allow for barangays to appoint sufficient barangay tanods to help maintain peace and order in their communities in lieu of the current set-up where tanods are only limited to 20 per barangay.

Under the bill, the Sangguniang Barangay shall be given the authority to determine the appropriate number of barangay tanods needed with permanent status during the administration of the Sangguniang Barangay which appointed them. They will also be entitled to honoraria, allowances and other benefits.

“This will ensure the maintenance of peace and order in the barangays. Surely, the security and safety of our countrymen must be met firstly in their immediate communities. This measure hopes to address that,” Go said.

The senator then reiterated his commitment to improve the welfare of barangay officials. In a past interview, Go said that they must be recognized so that they can continue to be more productive in carrying out their mandate.

“Tulad ng ibang kawani ng gobyerno, dapat ay ma-recognize at mabigyang importansiya ang kanilang role sa ating komunidad,” he stressed.