MANILA, Philippines — Gratuity pay to officials, who have served three consecutive terms in barangay councils, has been proposed in the House of Representatives.

In filing House Bill No. 1846, Marikina City Rep. Marcelino Teodoro proposed a gratuity pay of P200,000 to barangay captains and alump sum of P150,000 to members of the barangay councils after three terms of service.

Teodoro explained that the Barangay Council Act of 2011 aims to about 41,995 barangay captains and 293,965 barangay council members all over the country.

“Those who have served for three consecutive terms are eligible for gratuity pay once the bill is enacted into law. The barangay officials bring government directly to the people in terms of projects and activities in the community and as a forum for exchange of collective views,” Teodoro said.

The bill mandates the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to regularly include in their annual appropriation an amount corresponding to the total gratuity pay due to all qualified awardees, he added. (Rio Rose Ribaya)