Legarda Pushes For Magna Carta for Barangays

AS BARANGAY LEADERS START A NEW TERM OF OFFICE FOLLOWING THE BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS, SENATOR LOREN LEGARDA TODAY SOUGHT FOR THE PASSAGE OF A PROPOSED MEASURE ESTABLISHING THE MAGNA CARTA FOR BARANGAYS.
Legarda stressed that the national government should promote the welfare and prosperity of the barangay as it is the basic political unit where the collective views of the people in the community may be crystallized and considered.
“We want the national government to give more attention to the development of the barangay, as it is the base of our country’s economy. Every barangay should be given the authority and capability to solve its problems on its level. Thus, the need to establish a Magna Carta for Barangays,” she said.
Under Senate Bill 1336, which Legarda authored, barangay officials will be considered as regular government employees entitled to the salaries and benefits of such.
The barangay will also be provided with its basic necessities, such as regular supply of clean and potable water, public transportation, schools, health centers and Barangay halls.
Furthermore, its share from national taxes and other fees and charges shall be released automatically, and funds for the maintenance of roads, bridges and other similar constructions shall be transferred to the barangay.
“We realize the hard work of our barangay leaders. They are the ones who directly deal with the concerns of the people every day. They deserve to enjoy the salary and benefits of a regular government employee,” Legarda said.
“We also want the barangay to enjoy local autonomy especially since it serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government programs, projects and activities. With this measure, the barangay shall have the added capacity to resolve any crisis in the community. Self-help or people power shall be the guiding principle in all barangay development projects,” she concluded.