SPEAKER Faustino Dy III has vowed to prioritize the passage of a long-overdue Magna Carta for Barangays, a landmark measure that will finally grant barangay officials the recognition, dignity, and compensation they rightfully deserve as full-fledged government employees-not mere volunteers.
Addressing more than two thousand local leaders during the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas National Congress, Dy said the proposed Magna Carta is among the eight legislative priorities of the House of Representatives and a key part of his commitment to strengthen the foundations of grassroots governance.
‘To this day, we cannot clearly define your true status in government,’ he said. ‘Are you genuine government workers, or are your efforts still considered voluntary?’
Dy described the proposed Magna Carta as a long-overdue recognition of the sacrifices and indispensable contributions of barangay leaders.
Under Dy’s HB 3533, the Punong Barangay, Sangguniang Barangay members, Barangay Secretary, and Barangay Treasurer will be recognized as regular government employees entitled to fixed salaries, insurance, medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, and other privileges.
The proposed salary structure pegs the Punong Barangay’s pay at the same level as a Sangguniang Bayan member of the town or city; Sangguniang Barangay members will receive 80 percent of that rate; and the Barangay Secretary and Treasurer, 75 percent. Cities and towns will have six months from the law’s enactment to identify funding sources and pass ordinances implementing the new salary scheme.
The bill also seeks to ensure basic services in every barangay by requiring the construction or maintenance of at least one deep well for every 1,000 residents to guarantee clean, safe drinking water and mandating daily public transportation access so that no community is left isolated.
To strengthen fiscal independence, the Magna Carta mandates the automatic release of each barangay’s share of national taxes, the direct transfer of road and bridge maintenance funds to the barangay’s general fund, and a 25 percent share of all real property taxes collected within its jurisdiction. It also allocates 10 percent of all other local taxes, fees, and charges collected from residents and businesses to the barangay.
The measure further promotes human capital and economic empowerment. Each barangay will be required to sponsor at least one college scholar every year, covering tuition, fees, and living expenses. Barangay residents will also be given priority in employment for government construction and development projects in their communities.
To promote economic self-reliance, the bill encourages the establishment of barangay-based cooperatives, with local governments directed to provide full assistance and support.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will be tasked to craft the implementing rules and submit to Congress the necessary budget estimates for salaries, benefits, and other provisions.
If enacted, the Magna Carta for Barangays will mark the most comprehensive reform in local governance since the 1991 Local Government Code-a historic measure ensuring that barangay officials are no longer seen as volunteers but as vital pillars of public service.