Barangay Official, Benefits, Duties and Responsibilities.

With a cup of coffee we talk about today’s Barangay election related violence, it’s a history without solution, more severe than the national election.

 

Before the Barangay Election and until it was done. The violence related to barangay election happened in many provinces, even here in the city, like, killing, extortion, vote buying and snatching of ballot boxes and various illegal activities related to this election.

 

Because of this violence, 6,195 barangays or 14.74 percent of the 42,028 barangays nationwide were declared by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as election watch list areas (EWAs) in the barangay polls.
(http://philstar.com/)

 

My question is, why several candidate are so eager to put themselves in the position, they make everything to be sure that they will sit in the barangay position, why? They want to help others, they want a benefit, or they want power?

 

What is the benefits’ of Barangay Official?

 

As I say, there are 42,028 Barangay in the country; each has a Barangay Captain, seven (7) Councillors and Youth Council Chairman, election held every three years (3) on the last Monday in October. Under Republic Act Number 8524 or the Local Government Code of 1991 created, they received a honorarium allowance for Barangay Chair at least 1000 pesos and 600 pesos for Barangay council and member, it may be increased under E.O no. 332. As I know, today, their salary ranges up to 8,000 pesos for barangay captain. Payments however, are subject to the availability of funds.

 

Aside from that honorarium they are also entitle for;

• 1. Christmas bonus in the form of cash gift at the rate authorized by law.

• 2. Insurance covered under RA 6942.

• 3. Medical care consisting of free hospitalization in government hospital, but in extreme emergency, the same official may be confine in Private Hospitals with expenses fund at not more than 5,000 pesos per officials.

• 4. Free tuition and matriculation fee for legitimate dependent children in their area during their term only.

• 5. Conferment of civil service eligibility based on the number of years of services in the Barangay

• 6. Preference in appointment to any government position after the term.

 

Umm! Good benefits.

 

      What is the POWERS, DUTIES AND FUNCTION of      Barangay?

• 1. Agricultural support services (e.g., the distribution of planting materials, and the establishment and operation of collection and buying stations for farm produce);

• 2. Health and social welfare services (the maintenance of barangay health centers and day care centers);

• 3. Services and facilities related to general hygiene and sanitation, beautification and solid waste management;

• 4. Maintenance of barangay roads and bridges and water supply systems

• 5. Infrastructure facilities such as multipurpose halls, plazas, sports centers and other similar facilities;

• 6. Information and reading centers; and

• 7. Satellite or public markets, wherever viable.

   

  Barangay Chair:

• 1. Negotiate, enter into and sign contracts for and in behalf of the barangay

• 2. Approve vouchers relating to the disbursement of barangay funds

• 3. Carry firearm in the performance of his peace and order functions

• 4. Prepare the annual executive and supplemental budgets of the barangay in coordination with the barangay development council

• 5. Administer the operation of the “katarungang pambarangay”

 

      Barangay Council:

• 1. Enact annual and supplemental budgets

• 2. Provide compensation, reasonable allowances or per diems as well as travel expenses for barangay council members and other barangay officials, subject to the budgetary limitations prescribed under the Local Government Code

• 3. Solicit or accept monies; monies or properties donated by private agencies and individuals belong to the barangay’s trust fund

• 4. Hold fund-raising activities for projects without the need of securing permits from any national or local office or agency. Proceeds from such activities are tax-exempt.

 

Many works...benefits are not enough compared to duties and responsibilities.

 

Public official hold a big responsibilities, if we look in salary of barangay official, it’s too low compared to other public official salary, despite of this they still want to be a barangay official, they say, they want serve the people, well, it’s up to them, people are the power compared to their position, with God who put them in the position will also put them down if they do wrong against the people.

 

Remember this Quote of Franklin D Roosevelt for Public Official.

"Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country."

 

Source/references: www.inquirer.net/ www.dilg.gov.ph www.dbm.gov.ph