(MANILA STANDARD) SENATOR Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has been pushing for the legislation of a P1,000 monthly hazard pay to all duly-appointed barangay tanods.
Estrada stressed that the village watchmen deserve such incentive due to their hazardous duty in ensuring peace and order in the community.
“The barangay tanod greatly contributes to the peace and order, ensuring the safety of their constituents. As frontliners during the Covid-19 pandemic, they spent sleepless nights. So It is just proper to reward their sacrifices,” he said.
Estrada’s Senate Bill No. 794 proposes the grant of P1,000 per month in hazard pay to all duly appointed members of the barangay tanod brigades. Funding for the hazard pays will be initially be sourced from the budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), while its subsequent implementation will be included in the budgets of local government units (LGUs).
Estrada, a former mayor having served the mayoralty position of San Juan for 30 years before getting elected as senator in 2004, 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.
“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, chairman 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.