MANILA – House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Saturday assured the country’s barangay officials that apart from the initiative to provide them with Social Security System (SSS) benefits and fix their term to six years, the House is also working on the passage of a Magna Carta for Barangays.
This followed a statement made by Romualdez before the Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB) sa Pilipinas on Aug. 13, regarding his advocacy to have them covered by the SSS at no cost to them, and the proposal in the House to give them a fixed term of office of six years to insulate them from electoral concerns and allow them to focus on their responsibilities to their constituents.
“Nais ko ring ipahayag na kahit abala tayo sa mga hakbangin na ito, hindi pa rin natin pinapabayaan ang pangarap nating magkaroon ng Magna Carta for Barangays (I would also like to state that while we are busy with other initiatives, we are not abandoning our aspiration to have a Magna Carta for Barangays),” he told another batch of village officials attending the LNB 2024 National Congress at the World Trade Center.
The proposed measure aims to provide a comprehensive set of benefits and support for barangay officials, he said, urging them to contribute their input on the measure and other measures that would benefit them.
“Umaasa ako na magiging katuwang namin kayo sa pagbubuo ng batas na ito. Hinihikayat ko kayong lahat na magpasa ng mga position papers at ipagpatuloy ang ating ugnayan upang masigurong maisama ang inyong mga kahilingan sa panukalang ito (We expect you to be our partners in crafting this measure. I urge you all to submit position papers and continue our coordination to ensure that your requests become part of this measure)” he said.
Romualdez said village officials play an important role in linking their communities to the national government and delivering public services.
He assured them that all members of the House are fully aware of their concerns for their welfare and that of their families while they are serving their communities.
Earlier, Romualdez told barangay officials that the House is considering the passage of a bill mandating local government units (LGUs) to earmark funds for the monthly SSS premium contribution of barangay officers.
He had urged barangay officials to immediately register with the SSS to enable them to enjoy the benefits provided by the pension system.
According to SSS President Rolando Macasaet, aside from the SSS insurance coverage and pension benefits, Romualdez also sought the condonation of penalties for unpaid loans of village officials who are already SSS members. (PNA)
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