Robredo Wants Additional Benefits for Barangay Officials

CANDABA, Pampanga, Nov. 282010 -–Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has underscored the need to amend the Local Government Code that would provide additional protection and benefits to barangay-elected officials.

Robredo made this statement during the recent mass oath-taking of all newly elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials in 33 villages here held at the Ms. Earth Park in Barangay Mandasig.

"There is a need to amend the Local Government Code that would pave the way for more benefits to our elected local officials,” Robredo said.

He said that with the existing laws governing the concerned officials, “they (barangay and SK officials) are not even classified as government employees.”

In fact, he said, they were only receiving honorarium as public servant.

"We will push that they be considered government employee in order for them to get due benefits," he said.

The DILG executive also opined that the length of service rendered by the barangay officials should be taken into consideration in giving additional benefits to them.

Likewise, he encouraged local officials to faithfully discharge their duties and responsibilities for the best interest of their respective constituents.

He also said local executives should be given additional authority so that they could effectively and independently manage their affairs. (PNA)