City officials recently increased the subsidy of the city government to the 128 barangays to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of basic services at the grassroots level.
Under Ordinance No. 55, series of 2024, the subsidy to each of the city’s 128 barangays will be doubled from PhP30,000 to PhP60,000 that will be annually appropriated to the city’s general fund.
Section 324 of Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local Government Code of the Philippines as amended, provides that the budgets of the local government units for any fiscal year shall comply with various requirements that include the city’s aid to component barangays where these shall be provided an amount of not less than P1,000 per barangay.
The council noted that under the Non-Office section of Ordinance No. 82, series of 2023, the city government provided some PhP3.84 million or PhP30,000 for each barangay as its subsidy.
The body added that given the deep appreciation and gratitude of the 128 barangays for the unwavering support from the city, the decade-long subsidy of PhP30,000 has regrettably diminished in terms of purchasing power due to the declining value of the Philippine peso and the ongoing escalation in the cost of goods and services.
Consequently, the aldermen stated that it could no longer adequately cover the expenses associated with effective governance.
More importantly, the subsidy is allocated to various barangay programs, including, but not limited to, tourism, disaster risk reduction, sports development, senior citizens and youth welfare, maintenance of the barangay tanod and barangay peace and order advisory council, development, and protection of persons with disabilities and children, assistance to the needy, disadvantaged, under privileged or impoverished groups or individuals, part curly those identified as vulnerable and at high risk of exploitation, abuse and neglect.
Moreover, the subsidy supports other reforms aimed at promoting and protecting economic and social welfare, as well as development services that enhance the livelihood and living conditions of barangays constituents among other initiatives. By Dexter A. See
