By Liza Soriano
Senator Jinggoy Estrada wants P1,000 monthly hazard pay to all duly-appointed barangay tanods as they desrve such incentive given the “hazardous duty they perform in ensuring peace and order in the community.”
“Malaki ang ambag ng mga barangay tanod sa pagpapanatili ng kaayusan at kaligtasan ng kanilang mga nasasakupan. Sila ang nagpupuyat sa gabi at frontliner, gaya ng nasaksihan natin noong kasagsagan ng COVID-19 pandemic. Kakarampot na halaga ito kapalit ng kanilang serbisyo, sakripisyo at pagkakawanggawa,” Estrada said.
The lawmaker proposed Senate Bill No. 794 which will grant of P1,000 per month in hazard pay to all duly appointed members of the barangay tanod brigades. Funding for the hazard pays shall initially be sourced from the budget of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), while its subsequent implementation will be included in the budgets of local government units (LGUs).
Estrada noted that while barangay tanods receive the same benefits as other barangay officials, they are given a measly honoraria or allowances amounting to at least P600 monthly.
He served as mayor of San Juan for 30 years before being elected as senator in 2004.
“Barangay tanod brigades are community workers that need protection. This proposed measure acknowledges their significant contribution in maintaining peace and order in their locality by providing them with incentives while they continue to carry out official tasks,” Estrada, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, said.
“As frontliners, they should receive adequate support and treatment from the government. There is no doubt that they deserve to be given such incentive,” he added.
(ai/mnm)
