BONTOC, Mountain Province – Despite the expected changes in administrations and leadership in this capital town, the village security officers (barangay tanods) or Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs) and the members of the Katarungang Barangay (Lupon) are guaranteed of the continuity of financial assistance they are receiving from the Bontoc Local Government Unit (LGU).
The Sangguniang Bayan passed Ordinance No. 346, s. 2021, institutionalizing the financial assistance to BPATs and Katarungang Barangay effective January 1, 2022. The Financial Assistance to Barangay Functionaries Ordinance was sponsored by SB member Alsannyster Patingan, who is also the Chairperson of the Committee on Peace Order and Committee on Laws.
Bontoc Mayor Fraklin Odsey approved the ordinance recognizing the vital role of the different functionaries at the barangay level on the implementation of peace and order programs and services of the government.
“Barangay tanods play an important role in keeping peace and order in every barangay, with meager honoraria, they continue to do their duties and responsibilities as peacekeepers,” the mayor said.
Odsey added that apart from the performance of their regular functions, they have also been on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19.
It was stipulated in the ordinance that an annual financial assistance of P25, 000 shall be received by every barangay purposely for the tanods and members of the BPATs. Meanwhile, an annual financial assistance of P20, 000 shall be given to every barangay for the members of the Lupon.
The ordinance gave authority to the Local Chief Executive (LCE) to increase, but not to decrease the financial assistance should the need arise through an Executive Order without going through the arduous process of amending the ordinance. //
