The Manila city government has approved a P7.5 million budget for the insurance coverage of its barangay officials.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso met with the GSIS representatives at the City hall on Monday (June 14) for the ceremonial signing.
This is mandated by Resolution No. 1, series of 2021, of the Manila Peace and Order Council (MPOC), which the city mayor approved in February this year.
The city government has allocated P7.5 million for this, with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) as the insurer.
The GSIS will provide insurance to all barangay officials from the 896 barangays including the Sanguniang Kabataan (SK) in the city.
"With all honesty, today (we make) history. Matagal ng hinihingi 'yan ng mga barangay na proteksiyon sa kanila (The barangays have been asking for so long for their protection)," Domagoso said.
According to the GSIS proposal, each barangay official is entitled to accidental death compensation (P150,000), medical reimbursement (P15,000), and burial assistance (P10,000). The premium per person is P130.
The following barangay officials are qualified for insurance coverage:
- Punong Barangay
- Sangguniang Barangay Member
- Sangguniang Kabataan Chairperson
- Barangay Secretary
- Barangay Treasurer
- Members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa
- Members of the Barangay Tanod Brigade
The barangay officials serve as frontline workers amid the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the safety of their constituents.
"Yan ang sukli sa pagtatrabaho sa gobyerno (This is the reward that they will get for working in the government) and I do believe that the barangay officials deserve it also kasi elected official sila or appointed sila at naglilingkod sila sa komunidad (because they are serving the community)," Domagoso said
He added that the insurance coverage is also very timely as several barangay chairmen and officials have died due to COVID-19.
Domagoso thanked GSIS for the opportunity as this will give the barangay officials a "level of comfort and confidence" to serve even more their respective barangays.