SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. is batting for the enactment of a Magna Carta for Barangays to promote the growth and welfare of the nation's grassroots political unit.
Pimentel, principal author of the Local Government Code of 1991, said many laws were enacted in the past expanding the powers and responsibilities of barangays, such as authorizing them to settle petty dispute amicably.
"It is however lamentable to realize that notwithstanding the gigantic responsibilities which our government has thrown over the shoulders of our barangays, there is at present no strong legislative measure giving them the basic economic protection, facilities and opportunities necessary for their human existence and weapon against any encroachment on their right to self-government," he said.
As spelled out in Senate Bill (SB) 277 filed by Pimentel, the Magna Carta seeks to develop and improve the general welfare of barangay residents, raise the economic and social status of barangay officials and grant every barangay the basic facilities in life for decent, healthy and comfortable living.
It also aims to provide new measures that will ensure the enjoyment of local autonomy by the barangays to enable them to effectively perform its role as the primary planning and implementing unit of government programs.
Based on the Pimentel bill, the barangay chairman, barangay councilmen, the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman, the barangay secretary and barangay treasurer are entitled to fixed salaries, allowances, insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits and other fringe benefits which regular government employees receives.
Thus, the barangay chairman will receive an amount equivalent to the monthly salary of a municipal councilor.
The six barangay councilmen will each receive an amount equivalent to 80 percent of the salary of municipal councilor.
The chairman, secretary and treasurer of the SK will each receive an amount equivalent to 74 percent of the salary of a municipal councilor.
Other salient features of the proposed charter for local barangays are:
* It is the right of every barangay to have public transportation available at least once a day.
* Every barangay is entitled to have at least one elementary school, and one health center.
* The shares of barangays from the national taxes should be remitted automatically to them.
* All public funds for the maintenance of barangay roads and bridges shall be transferred or remitted directly to the general fund of every barangay.
* Twenty-five percent of all taxes collected on real property located within the barangay shall be considered barangay funds that should be allocated in accordance with existing laws. Each barangay shall be entitled to 10 percent from all other forms of taxes, fees, penalties, compromises or charges collected from persons residing in the barangay.
* Barangays shall be entitled to an equitable share from the proceeds of the utilization and development of national wealth.
* Every barangay shall grant at least one scholarship grant every year to disqualified village residents.
* Cooperative enterprises in the barangay shall be encouraged and given full assistance in terms of organizing them. (CPB/Sunnex)
