“If we want to professionalize the bureaucracy and public service, we must start from the Barangay – the most basic level of governance,” said Congressman Relampagos of the first district of Bohol. Under paragraph (a), Section 387, Chapter III, of the Local Government Code or Republic Act No. 7160, “there shall be in each barangay a punong barangay, seven (7) sangguniang barangay members, the sangguniang kabataan chairman, a barangay secretary, and a barangay treasurer.” Of these officers, only the Barangay Secretary and Barangay Treasurer are the appointed officials. “However,” Cong. Relampagos continued, “these officers are key persons in ensuring accountability, transparency and continuity in the delivery of services in the community.” The Barangay Secretary, under Section 394 of RA 7160, is the main custodian of all barangay and barangay sangguniang records while the Barangay Treasurer, under Section 395 is the main custodian of all barangay funds and properties.

In addition, the Barangay Secretary, under RA 7160, have the following duties: “Keep custody of all records of the sangguniang barangay and the barangay assembly meetings; Prepare and keep the minutes of all meetings of the sangguniang barangay and the barangay assembly; Assist in the preparation of all necessary forms for the conduct of barangay elections, initiatives, referenda or plebiscites, in coordination with the COMELEC; and Keep an updated record of all inhabitants of the barangay containing the following items of information: name, address, place and date of birth, sex, civil status, citizenship, occupation, and such other items of information as may be prescribed by law or ordinance,” among others.

On the other hand, the Barangay Treasurer, under the law, is mandated to, among others: “Keep custody of barangay funds and properties; Collect and issue official receipts for taxes, fees, contributions, monies, materials, and all other resources accruing to the barangay treasury and deposit the same in the account of the barangay; Disburse funds in accordance with the financial procedures provided in this Code; Submit to the punong barangay a statement covering the actual and estimates of income and expenditures for the preceding and ensuing calendar years, respectively; and Render a written accounting report of all barangay funds and property under his custody at the end of each calendar year, and ensure that such report shall be made available to the members of the barangay assembly and other government agencies concerned.” “But how many times have we seen how documents, properties and funds of the barangay remain unaccounted for especially when the incumbent Punong Barangay leaves the office. Most often than not, the newly-elected officials, especially if not ‘friendly' with the outgoing officers, find themselves starting literally from scratch without documents and things to use in the Barangay Hall save for the fewest necessities,” the lawmaker continued. “And the Barangay Secretary and Treasurer, most often than not, are among the first to leave when a new set of barangay officials have been elected,” he said.

“We must put an end to this and ensure professionalism and continuity of service in the barangay. The positions of the barangay secretary and treasurer must be apolitical and isolated from the ever-changing political landscape in the community. They must owe their loyalty not to the Punong Barangay who appointed them but to the whole barangay who depends on their objectivity and fairness,” the Congressman explained. Thus, Cong. Relampagos co-authored House Bill No. 2172, principally authored by Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza of the fourth district of Batangas, with full title, “An Act Providing Security of Tenure to the Barangay Secretary and Barangay Treasurer.” To professionalize service in the barangay, the bill seeks to institutionalize the security of tenure, the qualification standards, the salary and the selection and appointments process of the barangay secretary and treasurer.

Cong. Relampagos elaborated, “If professionalized, the barangay secretary and treasurer, who must be graduates of bachelor's degrees and civil service eligibles, among others, may only be removed from office in accordance with civil service rules. Further, they will be classified as salary grade 15 under the salary standardization law. Finally, their appointment will not be confined to the selection by the Punong Barangay and concurrence of the Sangguniang Barangay members. A broad pool of qualified residents in the Barangay, but not connected to the incumbent barangay officials, will be ensured.” “Definitely, the intent of this proposed measure is the improvement of the delivery of services in the barangay and the institutionalization of professionalism, transparency and accountability in this most basic local government unit,” the lawmaker ended.