NANCY WANTS MORE BENEFITS FOR BARANGAY OFFICIALS

Saying that they are crucial partners in nation building, re-electionist Senator Nancy Binay is pushing for the regularization and more benefits for barangay officials.

"Isa po sa ating patuloy na tinututukan ay ang karagdagang benepisyo para sa mga barangay officials," Binay said during an assembly of barangay officials in Baguio City.

"Alam ko rin pong marami sa inyo ang kadalasang nag-aabono na lamang upang makatulong sa mga kababayang humihingi ng ayuda," she added.

Binay filed Senate Bill number 182 in the present Congress that would make regular employees of the government the punong barangay, members of the barangay council, including the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson, barangay secretary, and treasurer.

If passed into law, the measure aims to grant the officials the benefits given to a regular government employee, such as fixed salaries, allowances, insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits and other fringe benefits.

However, SB 182 remains pending in the Senate committee on local government.

Binay also co-authored a similar measure in the 16th Congress which seeks to grant retirement benefits to all barangay officials, including barangay tanods, members of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa, barangay health workers and barangay day care workers. The bill reached the third reading in the said Congress.

"Umaasa po akong maihahabol pa itong SB182 ngayong 17th Congress, pero kung hindi na, ay irerefile natin sakaling makaupo tayo sa 18th Congress," Binay said.

"Hopefully, we can find a middle ground that is acceptable to both the funding agencies and the intended beneficiaries of the measure," she added.