By Dominic B. dela Cruz
LAOAG CITY—The Liga ng Mga Barangay (LMB) Laoag City Chapter has expressed their support for the passage of House Bill No. 5066, or the “Magna Carta For Barangays”, introduced by Rep. King George Leandro Antonio V. Collantes (3rd district, Batangas).
LMB-Laoag President Roque Benjamin Ablan announced their support after the Sangguniang Panlungsod members unanimously approved a resolution of support to strengthen barangays as the backbone of governance.
Section 384 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, declares that “The barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized, and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled”.
In relation to this, Ablan said the Liga ng mga Brgy.-Laoag City Chapter, an active component of the Liga ng mga Barangay ng Pilipinas, is an organization composed of all barangays in the City of Laoag, established to represent the collective interests of barangays, coordinate their plans and programs, and advocate for measures that promote effective, empowered, and well-supported barangay governance.
He said that the Barangay as the basic political unit, plays a vital role in the governance and development of the nation, serving as the front line in the delivery of basic services and in promoting peace, order, and community welfare.
“Despite of our essential roles, we remain the most under-resourced level of government, with barangay officials performing extensive responsibilities with inadequate financial support, limited facilities, insufficient benefits, and lack sufficient support mechanisms to effectively perform their duties and responsibilities,” he said.
The said House Bill No. 5066 seeks to uplift the welfare of barangay officials, strengthen barangay governance and enhance fiscal autonomy to promote responsive and effective local administration.
As stated in its Article II, Section 4 of the proposed bill, Ablan said the punong barangay, Sangguniang Barangay members, barangay secretary, and barangay treasurer shall be recognized as regular government employees, granting them salaries, allowances, insurance, and retirement benefits equivalent to those enjoyed by other government workers, thereby ensuring stability and dignity in public service.
He said that the bill likewise ensures, under Article III, Sections 6-8. Basic Priorities in the Barangay, that every barangay shall have access to basic services and infrastructure, including clean water, transportation, schools, health centers, and barangay halls, while providing equitable fiscal support through the automatic release of shares from national taxes and fair participation in local revenues.
Article V, Sections 14-15 of the same bill also provides educational opportunities, employment priority for barangay residents, and support for cooperative enterprises, fostering inclusive growth and sustainable community development.
In this connection, Ablan said the Laoag City Chapter recognizes that the Magna Carta for Barangays is a legislative reform that would strengthen the backbone of local governance, empower barangay officials, and enhance the delivery of government services to the people.
