Sen. Bong Go says the President fully appreciates the services of all state workers

President Rodrigo Duterte signed an Executive Order that will grant additional cash incentives for barangay workers. (PCOO)

A social assistance program for barangay officials and employees ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte is a big morale-booster for the country’s local officials, especially during the Yuletide season.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go said he and the President continuously find ways to further promote the welfare of barangay officials, who will receive incentives on top of their regular P3,000 Christmas assistance from Office of the President (OP) to show appreciation for their public service.

“Gumagawa po kami ng paraan ni Pangulong Duterte na mabigyan man lang kayo ng Christmas assistance o anuman po na pwede ninyong magamit ngayong Pasko para po sa mga barangay officials and functionaries,” Go said.

The measure came in the form of Executive Order 99 issued on 6 December which states that “the Yuletide season is an opportune time to establish such measures or programs for the economic empowerment of barangay officials and functionaries, in recognition of their valuable and meaningful service that effect genuine and positive change in their respective communities.”

Officials set to benefit from the assistance program are the “punong barangay, barangay secretary, barangay treasurer, tanods, members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, and other workers/personnel appointed, designated or engaged by the barangay.”

Under the measure, the expenses of the program will be covered by the barangay’s available funds. The Department of the Interior and Local Government and Department of Budget and Management are also tasked to issue appropriate guidelines for the provision of the social assistance such as the components of the program and criteria for determining eligible officials and functionaries.

For the succeeding years, the agencies will propose measures to ensure the sustainability of the program by identifying other funding sources.

“Sinuggest ko po ‘yan kay Pangulong Duterte para mapasaya ang ating mga barangay officials na walang sawang nagseserbisyo sa kanilang mga komunidad,” said Go, who is the author of Senate Bill No. 391 or the “Barangay Services Compensation Act” which is still under deliberation by the Committee on Local Government.

Originally known as the “Magna Carta for Barangays Act of 2019,” SB 391 is a consolidated version of all other related Senate bills which aim to provide barangay officials additional compensation similarly accorded regular government employees.

“It is through our barangays that government programs and services reach our people. It is through our barangays that our policies, plans, and projects aimed at improving our country materialize,” said Go.

“Our barangays are not on autopilot. They are manned by these hard-working and dedicated individuals who, despite their seemingly thankless job, are committed to ensuring that our barangays serve the purpose they are intended for.”