Liga Pushes Stronger Protections for Barangay Officials; DBM Commits to Issue Insurance Guidelines

The Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas continued to advocate for strengthened welfare and institutional support for barangay officials following key developments from a Senate hearing and subsequent inter-agency discussions.

On Dec. 16, 2025, the Senate Committee on Local Government, chaired by Senator Jinggoy Estrada, convened to deliberate on proposed measures aimed at enhancing local governance and promoting national development. Present during the hearing were Senator Rodante Marcoleta and representatives from various government agencies, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Among the measures discussed were the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays, the Barangay Officials’ Compensation and Benefits Act, and the Barangay Tanod Permanent Appointment Act—key initiatives focused on improving the welfare, benefits, and protection of barangay officials nationwide.

In her statement, Liga National President Jessica Dy underscored the structural challenges faced by barangays, particularly in funding personnel services and benefits. She noted that while up to 55% of barangay budgets may be allocated for personnel services, many operate below this threshold due to limited operational funds, resulting in constrained salaries and minimal benefits for officials.

“Yung kaliit-liit na pondo na natitira sa PS… sweldo pa lang kulang na, paano pa po ang benepisyo,” Dy said, emphasizing that the proposed Magna Carta aims to establish fair and standardized compensation for barangay officials.

She also raised concerns over the outdated provisions of Republic Act No. 6942, noting that while benefits are provided, their value has not kept pace with present-day costs. Burial and financial assistance under the law, she said, are no longer sufficient given current economic realities, further highlighting the need for updated and responsive legislation.

“Yung 20,000 noon iba na po ang halaga ngayon… pati yung 2,000 na burial assistance hindi na rin sapat,” she added.

A key issue was also raised during the Senate hearing was the lack of clear guidelines from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), which has prevented high-income or financially capable barangays from independently providing life, health, and death insurance benefits for their officials and personnel.

In response, the Liga engaged with the DBM in a subsequent meeting led by Assistant Secretary Ryan Lita. During the discussion, the DBM committed to issuing clear guidelines that will serve as a framework for barangays seeking to provide their own insurance benefits.

The proposed guidelines are expected to play a crucial role in optimizing resources for the Magna Carta for Barangays. By enabling financially capable barangays to shoulder their own insurance coverage, government support can be more effectively directed toward low-income barangays that currently lack the capacity to provide such benefits.

The Liga reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with lawmakers and national agencies to ensure that reforms under the proposed Magna Carta for Barangays are responsive, equitable, and reflective of the varying capacities of barangays across the country.