Former Vice President and senatorial aspirant Jejomar Binay said on Monday, Feb. 10, that he will push for all barangay workers to become salaried government employees with full benefits amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Binay said that at present, barangay officials and workers only receive incentives or honorariums for their services.

Barangay chairpersons receive a minimum of P1,000 while Sangguniang Barangay members, the barangay treasurer, and the barangay secretary receive a minimum of P600.

Barangay watchmen (tanods) and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa receive honoraria authorized by law or barangay, municipal or city ordinance.

Barangay health workers, meanwhile, receive allowances and other benefits under a separate law.

“Ngayong pandemya, nakita po natin ang mahalagang serbisyo ng ating barangay officials at workers (This pandemic, we saw how important our barangay officials and workers are),” Binay said.

“Dapat lamang na matanggap nila ang mga benepisyo ng regular na empleyado ng pamahalaan (It is just right for them to receive the same benefits that regular government employees have),” he added.

The former Vice President said that he had been pushing for barangay workers to become salaried government workers since he was Makati mayor.

Binay also aired his dismay that even up to now, retired barangay officials and workers have not received any benefits or their pension from their service.

He said that like government employees, barangay officials and workers should also get mandatory benefits, including membership in Pag-IBIG Fund, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

“Dapat mabigyan ng ganitong mga benepisyo ang ating barangay officials, health workers, tanod, street sweepers, at iba pang barangay workers bilang mga lingkod-bayan (Barangay officials, health workers, tanods, street sweepers, and other barangay employees should also have these benefits),” the former VP said.