Raffy files Magna Carta for bgy workers’ welfare
SENATOR Raffy “Idol” Tulfo introduced a measure imposing a more extensive set of grants for the benefits, subsidies, and compensation for barangay officials, personnel, and volunteer workers, including tanods and barangay health workers.
Tulfo filed Senate Bill (SB) No. 1696, providing a Magna Carta for these barangay workers that have been neglected for the longest time in terms of benefits, salaries, and allowances.
“Ilan na sa mga tanod ang napabalitang nasaktan, nadisgrasya at nagbuwis ng buhay sa tawag ng tungkulin. Ilan na rin sa mga barangay health workers ang nagbuwis din ng buhay noong panahon ng pandemiya. Dahil sa pagganap nila sa kanilang tungkulin, sila ay napasama sa mga naging biktima ng COVID-19,” he said.
Tulfo’s bill seeks to remedy such a predicament by imposing a minimum and maximum salary rate to which they are entitled, stressing that barangay officials, personnel, and volunteer workers serve as the nation’s backbone.
Here, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is the one mandated to develop a standardized position classification and compensation scheme for barangay officials, personnel, and volunteer workers.
SB No. 1696 requires that they be covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) social insurance program, PhilHealth insurance program, and Pag-IBIG Fund.
Under the said measure, hazard allowance, as well as death and burial benefits, are also granted to public servants like them.
Tulfo’s bill, to be known as “Magna Carta for Barangay Officials, Personnel and Volunteer Workers,” likewise aims to provide preferential treatment for barangay officers in their conferment of civil service eligibility and in government appointments.
“It is imperative that we recognize the tireless effort and sacrifices of our barangay officials, personnel, and volunteer workers by giving them their due,” the bill’s explanatory note read.
