QUEZON City Rep. Patrick Michael Vargas has filed a bill seeking the inclusion of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) officials in the coverage of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).
The lawmaker filed House Bill No. 3355 or the Mandatory GSIS Coverage for Barangay Officials Act, emphasizing that since the enactment of the Barangay Election Act of 1982, barangay officials make do with their measly compensation and limited benefits in the performance of their duties.
“Barangay officials are the blood that keeps the government running especially in the grassroots and community level. It is only right and just that government benefits, specifically in insurance as a social security tool, be extended to include our noble leaders in the barangay,” he said.
Vargas said providing BSK officials additional benefits would help them take care of themselves and their families.
“As the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections is fast-approaching, it is high time to take care of incoming barangay officials who serve as our partners in our contribution to nation-building,” he said.
The proposed coverage shall include elective barangay officials: the Punong Barangay, Sangguniang Barangay members, and the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson.
The same benefit shall also be extended to appointees, namely the barangay treasurer, barangay secretary, chief tanod, and barangay administrator.
The bill also mandates local government units to devise lawful systems and programs that would allow them to contribute or subsidize the monthly contributions to GSIS of the barangay officials.
“It is our duty to ensure that our government frontliners in the barangay level are covered by the existing insurance, medical, and health service programs of the government under existing laws,” the bill said.
