Barangay officials to get GSIS coverage

MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Franklin Drilon vowed to ensure barangay officials and workers would receive additional benefits – including retirement pensions and loan packages – once measures to give additional remunerations have been passed into law.

According to a speech by Drilon before delegates of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas – Bulacan Provincial Chapter Convention in Davao City, the leaderships of the Senate and the House have agreed to work on expanding the coverage of the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to include barangay officials.

“We in Congress recognize the barangay leaders’ contribution to the community as front-liners of government service, so it is high time that we accord them the recognition and benefits the state is supposed to give to its workers,” Drilon said.

Barangay officials are have yet to be recognized as government employess, particularly in reference to membership in the GSIS.

Under the bill, officials from around 42,000 barangays across the Philippines can qualify for retirement benefits and loans, such as housing, salary, education, and calamity loans. Compensation, honoraria and other emoluments being received by the barangay officials will be the basis in computing their contributions to the GSIS. – Rappler.com