Sahod, hindi lang honorarium: Mayor Abby calls for reform in barangay governance system

Makati City Mayor and senatorial aspirant Abby Binay underscored the need to reform the country's barangay governance system and advocated for the payment of salaries to barangay officials rather than just honorariums.
Binay made the statement on Monday, Feb. 3, during her participation in the Eastern Samar Provincial Liga Assembly held in Quezon City.
"Isa sa mga nais kong isulong sa Senado ay ang pagpapabuti ng kalagayan ng mga barangay. Una, dapat regular ang sahod ng mga barangay officials. Araw-araw po kayong naglilingkod, ngunit ang natatanggap po ninyo ay honorarium lamang. Nararapat po na magkaroon kayo ng plantilla bilang mga halal na opisyal ng barangay, at kasama na rin dito ang mga benepisyo (I would like to push in the Senate the improvement of benefits of our barangay workers. First, the regular salary of our barangay officials. Barangay workers are serving their constituents everyday; however, you are only receiving honorariums for your work. It is right and just to have a plantilla system among barangay workers which will also include other benefits)," she said, stressing that barangay personnel are the frontliners of governance and that they deserve stable and fair compensation for their dedicated service.
Mayor Abby also called for the professionalization of key barangay positions, specifically stating that barangay treasurers should be certified accountants to enhance financial accountability.
"Isa pa po nating nais isulong ay ang pagiging independent ng mga barangay treasurer. Dapat po hindi siya nakasalalay sa barangay captain. Ibig pong sabihin, may fixed term po siya at hindi siya papalitan kasabay ng mga pagbabago sa mga barangay officials, upang matiyak na ang pondo ng barangay ay maayos na pinamamahalaan (I would also like to push for barangay treasurers to become independent. He or she should not just rely on the barangay captain. This means the treasurer should have a fixed term and should not be changed depending on who are the elected barangay officials. This ensures the barangay funds are managed properly by the officials)," Binay explained.
The mayor also invited Liga members to visit Makati City to learn from its best practices in governance and public service delivery.