Manila: The Senate Committee on Local Government on Tuesday opened deliberations on proposals for a Magna Carta for Barangays, one of the identified priority bills by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). The bill seeks to strengthen the welfare, capacity, and frontline role of barangay officials in delivering basic services to communities.
According to Philippines News Agency, Committee Chairperson Senator Jinggoy Estrada said the measure is alongside proposals to reprogram the Seal of Good Local Governance and amend the Local Government Code of 1991. Estrada emphasized the committee's role as a platform for effective dialogue and collaboration aimed at empowering local governments as drivers of national progress and inclusive development.
Several versions of the proposed Magna Carta were referred to the committee, with provisions seeking improved benefits and compensation and the regularization of the Punong Barangay, Sangguniang Barangay members, Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons, as well as barangay secretaries and treasurers. The measure proposes guaranteed basic services at the barangay level, including access to potable water, public transportation, primary education, and health centers. It also includes the automatic release of barangays' share from national taxes and an equitable share from the utilization and development of natural wealth.
The proposals call for mandatory capacity-building programs and regular training for barangay officials and personnel to strengthen governance and service delivery at the community level. Before tackling the Magna Carta bills, the committee heard a briefing from the Department of the Interior and Local Government on its legislative priorities for the 20th Congress. These priorities include measures to simplify local business taxes, institutionalize business permitting and licensing offices in cities and municipalities, enhance local public financial management, and rationalize the taxing powers and functional assignments of local government units.
