Manila Mayor Isko Moreno is shown with Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, (Honey right) Liga ng Barangay chief Lei Lacuna, (Isko left) majority floorleader Joel Chua and Barangay bureau chief Romy Bagay (behind Isko) during the signing of the insurance coverage for barangay officials and personnel, along with representatives from the DILG and the GSIS. Photo by JERRY S. TAN
Isko bares insurance coverage for execs of 896 bgys in Manila
GOOD news to officials of the 896 barangays in Manila.
Mayor Isko Moreno made another first in the city, as he led the ceremonial signing of the insurance coverage for barangay chairs, tanods, kagawads, treasurers, secretaries and Sangguniang Kabataan chair as well.
The signing was also witnessed by Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, council majority floorleader Joel Chua, barangay bureau head Romy Bagay, Liga ng Barangay head Lei Lacuna, Department of Interior and Local Government-Manila City Director Atty. Rolynne Javier and officials from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the provision of insurance.
“Thank you for the opportunity. I am happy that there is now a level of comfort and confidence on the part of our barangay officials. Madami sa kanila namamatay ni hindi malingon ng pamahalaang kanilang pinaglingkuran,” Moreno noted.
The mayor also said that the barangay personnel are being used by the city government at the frontlines and thus need to be insured for their sake and that of their families’ in case they meet an unfortunate incident in the line of duty.
“Sana hindi nila ito magamit pero wala kasi silang inaasahan. Isinosoga namin sila sa frontlines. Marami sa kanila naglilingkod sa barangay ng 20 o 30 years. Ilang chairman, tanod o kagawad na ba nabagsakan ng poste, nasagaaan ng trak sa pagresponde? Kaya this is history. Sana buong Pilipinas,” Moreno said.
He added that all officials, whether appointed or elected, face occupational hazards and thus deserve protection and the confidence that when something happens to them, the families they leave behind will receive help somehow.
Under the agreement which is pursuant to Resolution No. 1, series of 2021 of the Manila Peace and Order Council (MPOC) and in line with the implementation of the 2020 to 2022 Manila Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) Plan, the barangay officials in the city are insured in the total amount of P7.5 million intended in case of an accident.
Moreno said the accidental death compensation of P150,000, medical reimbursement of P15,000, and burial assistance of P10,000 is a good start.
Bagay said the barangay officials and personnel were very happy with the development as they expressed gratitude to Moreno for the initiative.
According to Bagay, this is the first time that such an insurance is provided for those running the barangays.
