MANILA -- The author of the Local Government Code said Thursday that barangays should get their funds from the National Government directly and not beg it from city hall.

Former senator Aquilino Pimentel Jr. said the law requires the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to remit the Internal Revenue Allotments (IRAs) directly to barangay councils.

Current practice, however, courses the money through cities and municipalities. This exposes the supposedly non-partisan village councils to patronage politics because they have to get their mayor's approval for fund releases.

He said village councils should set up their own bank accounts so the DBM can send their IRAs to the barangays.

Senator Edgardo Angara has filed a related bill to let barangays keep their half of community taxes they collect instead of remitting the money to the city treasurer.

Angara said having fund releases controlled by the city treasurer causes inefficient delivery of basic services. (Jonathan de Santos/Sunnex)