Sen. Marcos Urges President To Sign Into Law
Barangay Retirement Benefits Measure

Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. today urged the President to sign into law as early as possible the measure recently approved by Congress giving retirement benefits to Barangay Officials and workers.

"It is already an enrolled bill and has been transmitted to Malacañang for the President's signature. Marcos, Chairman of the Committee on Local Government, is the principal author of the bill approved in the Senate."

"The Senate and the House (of Representatives) have approved the bill. I hope the President would sign it into law as soon as possible," Marcos told reporters in an ambush interview in Nueva Ecija.

"I am optimistic that our barangay officials and workers will be able to enjoy this benefit very soon," he added.

The measure provides a retirement pay of P100,000 for each qualified Barangay Chairman, P80,000 for each member of Sangguniang Barangay, and P50,000 each for the Barangay Treasurer and Secretary, Barangay Tanod, Member of the Lupon ng Tagapamayapa, and Barangay Health and Day Care Workers.

In pushing for the bill, Marcos explained that while barangay officials and workers are serving in the front lines, delivering basic and other public services, they are only receiving measly benefits.

"Their dedication and contribution to public service without monthly salaries but with only honoraria, allowances or other emoluments deserves more than mere recognition," Marcos stressed.

Under the measure, a Barangay Official or Worker must be at least 60 years old and with at least 9 years of service to be eligible to receive the retirement benefit.

Based on these criteria, the DILG's (Dept. of Interior and Local Government) National Barangay Operations Office has determined that as June 7, 2013, some 95,616 are qualified for the benefit out of 1,849,232 total numbers of barangay officials and workers in the country.

The government needs P5.2 billion to pay for the retirement of the initial number of qualified officials and workers.

As funding source the measure proposed the creation of the Barangay Retirement Fund, which shall be established through annual investments with an amount equivalent to one percent (1%) of the share of the National Government in the IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment).

The DILG shall administer and ensure the appropriate disbursement of the fund.