Budget Amendment approves Monthly Release of Additional Honorarium of Brgy Workers

Rama made no assurance on compliance since Executive Order No. 13-5, signed last March, provides quarterly release

The Cebu City Council has approved the proposal to amend the city’s budget ordinance so that the release of the honorarium for the barangay officials and employees be made during the second Tuesdays in every month.

Councilors Alvin Arcilla and Michael Ralota, both allied with the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK), said the barangay employees want that their honorariums be released to them on monthly basis.

At present, there are instances that the additional honorariums of the barangay employees like the tanods, members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa, Day Care teachers, garbage collectors and others are given to them on quarterly basis.

Councilor Jose Daluz III, the mayor’s ally in the City Council, did not object to the approval of the amendment but he suggested that the City Treasurer’s Office shall be consulted first about the matter.

“Maayo unta kadto nga mangutana usa kita kon may kwarta ba nga magamit kon ihatag ang additional honorarium sa matag buwan,” Daluz said.

But Mayor Michael Rama said he cannot assure that the provisions of the ordinance can be complied by his administration, including that of the barangay officials.

Executive Order No. 13-5 signed by Rama last March 27 and a copy of it has been sent already to the Office of the President in Malacañang that provides that the release of the incentive or additional honorarium to the barangay workers shall be processed in a quarterly basis subject to accounting rules and procedures.

Under the existing guideline, the city will provide monthly P5,000 to each of the barangay captains, P3,000 every month to each of the councilmen and P2,000 to each of the barangay secretaries and treasurers.

There are 80 barangay captains in Cebu City, 560 barangay councilmen, 80 SK chairmen and 160 barangay secretaries and treasurers.