Senatorial hopeful Bam Aquino is renewing his call to provide proper compensation and benefits to barangay workers, especially tanods and health workers, who he considers vital frontliners in the community.
In a GMA News Online report, Aquino emphasized that these individuals should no longer be treated as mere volunteers but as essential workers deserving of stable income and government support.
“Panahon na po na bigyan talaga ng tamang halaga ang mga tanod natin at mga tumutulong sa ating barangay,” he said. “Huwag naman nating tratuhing volunteer. Tratuhin natin talagang nagtatrabaho dito po sa ating barangay.”
Aquino’s proposal includes giving barangay workers a regular monthly salary, PhilHealth coverage, free legal aid for duty-related cases, and access to proper training programs. Currently, under the Local Government Code of 1991, barangay workers only receive an honorarium, with the Punong Barangay entitled to just P1,000 monthly, and others like barangay secretaries and treasurers receiving as low as P600.
This isn’t Aquino’s first attempt—he filed a similar bill back in 2016, but it failed to move forward in the Senate. This time, he hopes to get stronger backing, noting the increased reliance on barangay workers during crises and community emergencies.
