Misamis Oriental Representative Juliette Uy has proposed income tax exemptions, free insurance coverage and other benefits for barangay officials and employees in recognition of their role as frontliners in providing basic social services to the people.

Uy, a member of the National Unity Party (NUP), said House Bill 5950 exempts from income tax payments the salaries, wages, compensation, remuneration, honoraria,  allowances and other emoluments received by barangay officials and employees.

Gross benefits of whatever nature or character received by barangay officials and employees,  are also tax-exempt under HB 5950.

These benefits include barangay tanods and members of the lupong tagapamayapa, Uy said.

"As frontline government officials and workers, our barangay officials and employees strive earnestly in making democracy work in all villages nationwide," Uy said. This measure aims to recognize those “who give life to the vital role of the smallest government unit and political subdivision of the country which is the barangay,” she added.

She said barangay workers will  also be  provided with free basic health services and medicines, as well as life insurance and social security coverage under the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

"This includes retirement, disability, separation and unemployment benefits as may be extended by the GSIS, subject to limitations provided by law," Uy said.

HB 5950 also provides free legal services through the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) to barangay workers involved as litigants in administrative and criminal cases in connection with the performance of their official duties.