TACLOBAN CITY – The local government of Carigara in Leyte marked the 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence by honoring 718 barangay tanods or watchmen with additional monthly subsidy.

THE municipality of Carigara in Leyte feted barangay tanods on Independence Day. (Photo via Marie Marticio)
Mayor Eduardo Ong Jr. said the celebration acknowledged the people who maintain peace and order in the community.
"It is when we get our independence that we are able to attain peace. The barangay tanods are the ones maintaining the said peace in our barangays. Also, they have been overlooked or may have felt unappreciated in the previous years for their services to the community," Ong said.
In order to avail of the monthly subsidy which that will be determined by the National Tax Allotment, formerly the Internal Revenue Allotment, the appointed village watchmen should have received proper training from the Department of Interior and Local Government.
Qualified beneficiaries will be able to avail half of their monthly honorarium.
Ong added that watchmen of bigger barangays could get as much as P3,000.