ORDINANCE NO: 2022-508 Sponsored by: Committee on Finance and Appropriations "AN ORDINANCE GRANTING HONORARIA AND OTHER BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES TO BARANGAY VOLUNTEER FRONTLINE WORKERS IN THE CITY OF PAGADIAN, PRESCRIBING GUIDELINES FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES" PREFATORY STATEMENT Republic Act No. 7160 also known as the Local Government Code of 1991 which is complemented by the Supreme Court Mandanas Ruling provides the full devolution of powers from the National Government down to the Local Government Unit which shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare. The Barangay as an administrative district forming the lowest local government level of every Local Government Unit is the primary implementing unit of government policies, plans, program, projects and activities in the community. The enormity of barangay duties, functions and tasks in consideration with the limited resources and the familiarity of the community including its inhabitants have necessitated the participation of Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers who shall provide additional manpower to effectively carry out the implementation of government programs, projects and activities that include, but not limited to, health and nutrition, social services, education, disaster preparedness, peace and order and peacekeeping including intelligence networking and agricultural extension activities. These Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers have been deeply involved in the conduct and delivery of basic services, notwithstanding the accompanying exposure to hazards in the community level. NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (13th City Council) of Pagadian City in session assembled that: Section 1. Title. - This Ordinance shall be known as "The Honoraria and Other Benefits and Allowances for the Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers Ordinance in the City of Pagadian." Section 2. Statement of Policy. - It shall be declared policy of the City of Pagadian to promote and to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and responsibleness of Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers in the delivery of basic services by recognizing their efforts, support, assistance, participation and contribution to local governance. Section 3. Objectives. - This Ordinance specifically aims to: a.) Enhance the capability building and sustainability of Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers in the implementation of City Government programs, projects and activities by; a.1) Providing appropriate trainings, seminars, workshops, meetings and technical support to health and social welfare services, maintenance of peace and order, and other related purposes; a.2) Capacitating the Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers through facilitation of deputization; and a.3) Appropriating the LGU funds to provide honoraria, other benefits and allowances for Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers. Section 4. Scope and Coverage. - This Ordinance shall cover the Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers as categorically defined in the succeeding section hereof providing the voluntary services for the implementation of government programs, projects and activities in the City of Pagadian. Section 5. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Ordinance, Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers are defined as follows: Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) - refers to a person duly accredited by the Local Health Board (LHB) after undergoing training programs from any accredited government and non-government organization whose voluntary services are primarily health care in the community pursuant to Republic Act No. 7883. Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) - refers to barangay-based volunteer workers responsible for the delivery of nutrition services and other related activities such as community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture and mental feeding pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 1569. Barangay Tanod - refers to civilian volunteers duly supported by the Punong Barangay upon the recommendation of the Barangay Peace and Order Council (BPOC) pursuant to Republic Act No. 7160. Day Care Workers - refers to barangay-based workers who are responsible in providing Early Childhood Care and Development from age zero (0) to four (4) years through the various centers and home-based programs in accordance with Republic Act No. 10410. Barangay Peacekeepers - refers to barangay-based volunteers rendering services for the implementation and monitoring of the city peace and order, infrastructure, health and nutrition, disaster preparedness and social programs. Barangay Employment Service Workers - refers to individuals who have undergone the basic training conducted by the Department of Labor and Employment and/or Pagadian Employment Service Office and who voluntarily render employment facilitation in the barangay level. Other Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers - refers to individuals who have undergone the basic training conducted by Government Agencies or Non-Government Organizations and who voluntarily render primary services e.g., intelligence networking, disaster preparedness, education, social, health and other services. Section 6. Availment. - The Barangay Affairs Coordinating Office under the City Mayor's Office of the City Government shall be in charge of implementing the provisions stipulated in this Ordinance. The necessary documents and other documentary requirements shall be secured to authenticate the identity of any person claiming the honorarium for the proper disbursement of funds subject to the usual government accounting and auditing rules and procedures. Section 7. Guidelines in the Release of Honorarium. - The following requisites must be complied with upon release of honorarium and other benefits and allowances: Documentary Requirements; a.1 Appointment from the Local Chief Executive or Punong Barangay whichever is applicable; Section 9. Honorarium. - The Local Chief Executive per recommendation of the Local Finance Committee shall issue a Memorandum or through an enactment of an Ordinance to set the amount of monthly honoraria for the Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers pursuant to existing laws and Local Budget Circulars. Section 10. Other Benefits and Allowances. - In recognition of the services, all Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers who are performing regularly their duties shall be entitled to the following benefits and allowances: Monthly Meal and Transportation Allowance - The Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers who render voluntary services in their respective barangay shall be entitled to a monthly meal and transportation allowance, effective upon the approval of this Ordinance, of not less than Five Hundred Pesos ( 500.00). Health Insurance and Medical Assistance - Upon recommendation of the appropriate governing body and subject to the availability of funds, Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers shall be enrolled in the Philippine Health Insurance Program (Philhealth), of which the premium shall be chargeable to the allocation under this Ordinance. Moreover, subject to the guidelines to be promulgated by the appropriate governing body, the Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers shall be entitled to hospitalization assistance of Five Thousand Pesos ( 5,000.00) or the total hospitalization bill, whichever is lower. The funds needed for the implementation of this provision shall be included in the regular appropriation. Service Acknowledgement Benefit - There shall be granted a service acknowledgement benefit of One Thousand Pesos ( 1,000.00) of every year of satisfactory service as Barangay Volunteer Frontline Worker in the respective barangay. Provided, that the following requirements must be strictly complied with: That the applicant for retirement must notify the Local Government Unit through the appropriate government body or authorized entity of the intention to retire from service at least one (1) year from retirement date. That the applicant for retirement shall have at least ten (10) years of service or aggregate thereof as Barangay Volunteer Frontline Service; That the applicant for retirement shall secure clearance from the appropriate governing body. Mortuary Assistance - There shall be a mortuary assistance to be extended to the immediate family of an active or inactive Barangay Volunteer Frontline Worker, viz: Active (In-Service) Barangay Volunteer Frontline Worker - 5,000.00 In-Active (Out of Service) Barangay Volunteer Frontline Worker - 2,000.00 Insurance Coverage - All Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers shall be insured to any public or private insurance companies and the premium of which shall be paid by the Local Government Unit of Pagadian City; Legal Assistance - The Local Government Unit of Pagadian shall make the LGU legal services available for legal assistance to Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers who, in the performance of their official function, have to take legal action or defend themselves. The Local Finance Committee shall formulate guidelines for the efficient and effective implementation of this provision. Section 11. Uniform of Barangay Volunteer Frontline Workers. - The uniform of the Barangay Volunteer Frontline Worker shall be determined by appropriate government body or person in authority. Identification card shall be issued to complement the uniform. Section 12. Funding Source. - The funding sources necessary to implement this Ordinance shall be charged accordingly against any appropriate funds available in the Local Government Unit. Section 13. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any section or provision of this Ordinance or any part thereof, or the application of such section, provision or portion is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder thereof shall not be affected by such declaration. Section 14. Repealing Clause. - Any resolution or ordinance or parts thereof inconsistent hereof is/are hereby repealed or suspended accordingly. Section 15. Effectivity. - This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the completion of posting in two (2) conspicuous places in the City of Pagadian. ENACTED AND APPROVED by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (13th City Council) during its 120th Regular Session on 09 March 2022 conducted via Video Conferencing.