Insurance for Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team members eyed

The City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance establishing a barangay peacekeeping action team (BPAT) insurance in the city and appropriating an initial amount of P2 million as insurance fund for the said purpose.

The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated that the barangay tanods in the city’s 128 barangays provide security to their respective barangays, maintain peace and order and serve as the indispensable partners of the local police force and the local government.

Further, the barangay tanod are among the city’s unsung heroes in the maintenance of peace and order in all the 128 barangays.

The ordinance claimed that for all their sacrifices, they only receive a meager honorarium or allowance which is not even enough to support a family.

In case of death or incapacity while performing their duties and responsibilities, the ordinance pointed out that the barangay tanods and other members of the barangay peacekeeping action teams do not get any reasonable compensation or remuneration that burdens their families during the said difficult situations.

According to the proposed measure, in recognition of all their sacrifices, it is appropriate to provide them with group insurance benefits and burial expenses to cover accidental death or dismemberment.

Under Section 393 of Republic Act (RA) 7160 or the Local government code of the Philippines, all duly appointed members of the barangay tanod brigades, or their equivalent, which shall number not more than 20 in each barangay shall be granted insurance or other benefits during their incumbency chargeable to the barangay or the city or municipal government to which the barangay belongs.

The ordinance mandated the local government to appropriate an initial amount of P2 million from the annual budget of the city and that the said amount may be increased by the City Mayor when he deems it necessary through a supplemental budget during the first year of implementation.

Moreover, the Liga ng mga Barangay shall recommend at least 3 competent and reliable insurance firms to handle the group insurance of the barangay tanods or members of the BPAT teams in the different barangays. – Dexter A. See