By Raymund Antonio Vice President Ma. Leonor “Leni” Robredo is not about to lose hope the bill that seeks to reform barangays (villages) will gain ground in the House of Representatives. Vice President Leni Robredo
(Kevin Tristan Espiritu / MANILA BULLETIN) “Parati naman natin iyon na wish, na sana bigyan ng kaukulang pansin iyong pagpapahusay, hindi lang ng barangay pero lahat na local government officials (We’ve always wished that improving not only the villages, but also all the local government officials will be given appropriate attention),” Robredo said. “Kasi iyong pag-raise nga ng bar ng expectations saka ng competence, tingin ko mahalaga (Because raising the bar of expectations and competence I think is important),” she added. The Barangay Reform Bill is one of the measures the Vice President has been pushing for even when she was still a congresswoman representing Camarines Sur. Such a measure, once passed, will entitle health workers and tanods (deputized security personnel) in villages a monthly honorarium of at least P500 from the Departments of Health (DOH) and of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). Under the Local Government Code, village captains are entitled to honoraria of at least P1,000 and P600 for village council members, treasurers, and secretaries. The Vice President noted that the passage of the Barangay Reform Bill has taken a backseat both in 16th and 17th Congresses. Robredo, a widow of the late longtime Naga Mayor Jesse Robredo, who was known for his work in local governance, said the measure has been stuck at the House committee level. “It is not a priority legislation. Of course, we want that it will become a priority legislation of the government,” she said in Filipino.