BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance granting incentives for 3-term barangay officials in the city.
The proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated that it will be a policy of the local government to give due recognition to 3-term barangay officials in bringing the city where it is now and in helping build the city as one of the outstanding local governments in the country to date.
The ordinance added that all 3-term barangay officials starting from 1994 shall be covered by the provisions of the local legislative measure and that they shall be entitled to a one time incentive of P20,000 plus the appropriate plaque of recognition.
The ordinance stipulated that to be qualified, the barangay official must have served for three consecutive terms and that a break in service shall automatically disqualify an applicant for the prescribed incentive.
Under the proposed ordinance, the Special Services Division (SSD) under the City Mayor’s Office, in coordination with the Liga ng mga Barangay (LMB), shall be responsible for identifying qualified former and current officials to avail of the benefits of the measure.
Further, the SSD and the LMB shall determine the appropriate schedule for the distribution of the awards and cash incentives to deserving 3-term barangay officials.
Yangot claimed the local government has been very successful in the delivery of basic and necessary services to its people and proof of the city’s outstanding feat are the numerous regional and national awards garnered by the local government over the past several decades and all the monumental distinctions and accomplishments were done with the active participation of the grassroots leaders, particularly the barangay officials.
The ordinance stated, in recognition of the unwavering and uncompromising services of the barangay officials in bringing the city to where it is now and in helping build the city as an outstanding local government, it is but appropriate to provide them with incentives, not necessarily as a reward but to acknowledge their vital participation and in their exemplary efforts in local governance.
Under the provisions of Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local Government Code of the Philippines, the barangay is the smallest political subdivision in the bureaucracy headed by a Punong Barangay and assisted by seven Barangay kagawads elected by constituents.
Based on provisions of existing laws, rules and regulations, barangay officials have a term of three years and shall be allowed to serve for three consecutive terms.
Yangot was a former Punong Barangay of Bakakeng Norte/Sur serving as president of the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) for two consecutive terms before being elected as a regular member of the previous councils.
The proposed ordinance was referred to a committee of the local legislative body for study and recommendation for its approval on second and third readings in the coming weeks.
By Dexter A. See
