Liga Brings 42,011 Barangays’ voices to Magna Carta Technical Working Group

Representing the data and voices of 42,011 barangays nationwide, the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas actively participated in the Technical Working Group (TWG) discussions for the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays on Feb. 5, 2026.

Liga National President Jessica Dy, Vice President for Legislative Affairs Ferdinand Zaballa, and Director for Government Relations Eric Castillo took part in the meeting led by Rep. Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar, vice chairperson of the Subcommittee on Local Officials and Personnel under the Committee on Local Government.

At the opening of the session, House Speaker Faustino Dy III underscored the urgency of passing the Magna Carta for Barangays, emphasizing the critical role of barangay officials as frontliners of government service.

Dy, principal author of House Bill No. 3533, or the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays, said, “Malaki at malawak ang tungkulin at responsibilidad ng mga barangay officials. This bill is about giving our barangay leaders the dignity and recognition they deserve. Kapag pinalakas natin ang barangay, mas mararamdaman ng taumbayan ang gobyerno.”

During the discussions, one of the key challenges identified was funding. In response, the Liga presented proposals outlining potential sources of funding, with a focus on prioritizing low-income barangays and those with limited to no capacity to provide compensation and benefits, including insurance, for their officials and workers. The TWG is currently consolidating around 68 proposed measures aimed at strengthening the welfare, benefits, and institutional capacity of barangay officials nationwide.

The Liga reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the Magna Carta for Barangays will be grounded in the realities faced by barangays, reflecting both data-driven insights and the lived experiences of local officials.