Laoag City eyes cash incentives for 3-term brgy execs

By Dominic B. dela Cruz (Staff Reporter)

Laoag City—Elected barangay officials in this city who had served for three consecutive terms in the same position will soon receive cash incentives from the city government.

Laoag councilor Jason Bader Perera made this announcement after the Sangguniang Panlungsod unanimously passed a measure to this effect.

Perera, who authored the said ordinance, explained that the incentives are for the barangay officials’ being in the frontlines in the delivery of basic services, maintenance of peace and order as well as other government services.

He added that despite the work they give and provide, they receive “insignificant benefits”, and low honoraria, instead of regular salaries.

Perera cited Section 458 (a) of the Local Government Code which empowers the Sangguniang Panlungsod to enact ordinances and appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants pursuant to section 16 of this code.

Section 393 of the same code, states that, “Benefits of Barangay Officials - Barangay Officials shall receive honoraria, allowances, and such other emoluments as may be authorized by law or barangay, municipal or city ordinance in accordance with the provisions of this Code”, he added.

The measure seeks to provide additional incentives to all punong barangays and members of the Sangguniang Barangay for their “sacrifices and dedication” to complete a continuous three terms’ of office for the same position.

Perera said that a qualified Punong Barangay will receive PHP10,000 in cash and a plaque of appreciation; while a Sangguniang Barangay member will PHP5,000 in cash and a plaque of appreciation.

Perera added  that barangay officials who are entitled to the said incentives are those who have served for three consecutive terms in the same office and has neither pending nor found liable of any administrative case or criminal offense committed during those three terms.

Perera also stated that a barangay official who dies or becomes permanently incapacitated before the end of his last term is disqualified from the said incentive.

Entitled barangay officials who have completed the three terms and who should have completed their third term after the 2018 barangay election.

He said that the creation of Special Three-Term Incentives Fund (STTIF) will be used for the payment of incentives of the barangay officials entitled in this ordinance for their exemplary service.

Laoag Mayor Michael M. Keon will serve as chair of the screening committee with the city local government operations officer (CLGOO) as vice chairperson and the city planning and development officer, Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president and three (3) representatives from duly accredited non-government organization (NGOs) as members.

Every barangay election budget year, the local finance committee shall allocate such amount as is estimated to be needed in the implementation of the ordinance.

Perera stated further that the ordinance will take effect upon approval and after 10 days from its publication.

The 10^th Sangguniang Panlungsod passed a similar measure, authored by ex-officio council member and Laoag ABC President Mikee Fariñas but this was vetoed by then Laoag Mayor Chevylle V. Fariñas, citing a Commission on Audit findings.

This time, though, Perera said he will challenge the COA finding as he also said he is willing to prove that this ordinance is “legal”.

Fariñas declined to be the main sponsor of this measure saying there may be a conflict of interest since she is the incumbent Brgy. Vira chairperson who is on her second term, and as such will stand to benefit from it.