THE ROLE of barangays is nation-building should never be overlooked. After all, barangays are the basic units of governance. Barangay officials are the most attuned to the goings-on in the grassroots and they should not be looked down as mere political puppets.
It is time – long overdue, in fact – to usher in the next major phase on infusing good governance at the barangay level by further empowering barangay leaders to exercise responsible and accountable leadership. The filing of House Bill No. 1204 (Magna Carta for Barangays) is therefore most welcome.
Among others, it aims to make barangay officials regular government employees, which would entitle them to fixed salaries, insurance, and retirement benefits, among others.
Our barangay officials are first responders to any concern that the community faces. They do not have regular hours because their duties are closely linked with the life of the community. Yet, for such a crucial job, they only get paid a pittance. They do not even have insurance should harm come to them in the performance of their jobs. It is high time to correct such injustice, and this proposed measure would be a good way to express gratitude for the selfless service of barangay officials.
The proposed measure further empowers barangays by ensuring the availability in every barangay of basic services and facilities such as drinking water, transportation, and schools.
The measure also mandates the construction and maintenance of at least one deep well with a pumping device for drawing drinking water for every 1,000 residents in each barangay.
Meanwhile, every municipality or city would also be tasked with coordinating with government agencies to require public utility companies to provide public transportation.
Each barangay would also be entitled to have at least one elementary school, and a high school every five kilometers from the barangay center; as well as a health center and a barangay hall.
The just share of barangays from national taxes would also be automatically released to them every end of the calendar year.
Likewise, all public funds from the National Treasury for the maintenance of barangay roads and bridges and similar construction works should also be transferred directly to the barangays’ general fund.
Every barangay would also be entitled to an equitable share of proceeds derived from the exploitation, utilization, and development of natural resources within its territory.
The measure also provides for the prioritization of barangay residents in the hiring of workers and laborers for any government construction or development within their respective barangays.
As the core unit of government, we should have every motivation to improve our barangays. The quality of life of our countrymen hinges on the quality of service in the barangay, that’s why we have to be vigorous in uplifting every barangay.
