Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Wednesday, July 9, reaffirmed his call for stronger support for barangay officials and health workers as he renewed his push for two long-standing legislative measures that aim to institutionalize fair compensation and dignified working conditions for grassroots public servants.
Speaking to reporters at the Senate, Go declared that he would not stop fighting for the passage of his proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Officials and the newly refiled Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers — two measures he emphasized as crucial to recognizing the indispensable role of barangay-level personnel in delivering basic government services.
“Hindi po ako titigil, hindi po ako titigil hanggang maisabatas po ito,” Go stressed, referring to Senate Bill No. 178, or the Magna Carta for Barangay Officials bill, which he filed anew during the first week of the 20th Congress.
The bill aims to address the long-standing disparities in compensation and support experienced by barangay leaders and staff by formally recognizing them as regular government employees if enacted.
“Galing po ako sa baba, alam ko po ang trabaho ng isang barangay official. Ang hirap po maging barangay captain, sila po ‘yung pinaka-frontline na basic services. Sila ‘yung umaga, nand’yan sa city hall, hihingi ng tulong, mag-aasikaso sa mga pasyente, sa mga namatayan. Kulang pa ‘yung kanilang sweldo,” he added.
Go pointed out that many barangay officials — particularly in areas with low Internal Revenue Allotments (IRA) — receive compensation that is either irregular or too low given their responsibilities. He expressed concern that even kagawads, in particular, often serve only with minimal allowances while performing essential services that should merit full employment benefits.
“Maliit ang sweldo ng mga barangay officials ‘pag maliit ‘yung IRA nila. ‘Pag maliit ‘yung budget, ‘yung iba r’yan ang kokonti, even below minimum wage pa nga ‘yung iba. ‘Yung kagawad, allowances lang po ang kanilang natatanggap. Pero ‘yung serbisyong ginagawa nila, ang hirap po,” Go explained.
The proposed Magna Carta for Barangay Officials seeks to guarantee fixed salaries, appropriate allowances, and full benefits for barangay officials, including the punong barangay, members of the sangguniang barangay, sangguniang kabataan chairperson, barangay secretary, and barangay treasurer — benefits equal to those received by regular government employees.
“So patuloy ko pong ipaglalaban ‘yung Magna Carta for Barangay Officials,” he continued.
Go clarified that his advocacy for barangay development goes beyond just elected officials. On the same day, July 9, he filed a separate measure — the Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers — to ensure that barangay health workers (BHWs) are provided with adequate support, protection, and compensation.
“At hindi lang po doon nagtatapos. Pinagpatuloy ko rin pong i-file itong Magna Carta for BHWs para meron silang allowances or compensation and security of tenure na para sa mga BHWs na naglalakad sa init, ulan, na nagseserbisyo sa atin.”
Go highlighted the vital contributions of BHWs, particularly during public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that their sacrifices often go unnoticed despite their critical role in ensuring community-level health response and patient outreach.
“Panahon ng pandemya, hindi natin mararating itong narating natin, kundi dahil sa kanilang sakripisyo,” he said.
The Magna Carta for Barangay Health Workers seeks to provide BHWs with a compensation and benefits package that includes a monthly honorarium as well as transportation, subsistence, and hazard allowances if enacted.
Crucially, the bill also calls for security of tenure for BHWs — a long-overdue measure to stabilize and dignify their employment status.
By pushing for both Magna Carta measures, Go reinforced the need to professionalize and empower barangay-level service delivery. He framed the barangay as the backbone of government presence and efficiency in communities across the country.
“Basic and frontline services po ng gobyerno ang barangay — barangay officials, barangay health workers, at iba pa,” Go concluded.