Two weeks after the 2010 barangay elections were concluded, a congressman filed a bill seeking to grant financial and tax incentives to the officials and staff of the country’s 40,025 barangays. The Barangay Incentives Act (HB 317), proposed by Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas, would cover all barangay executives and employees, including tanods and members of the Lupon Tagapamayapa (barangay dispute mediator councils). The bill provides for the following tax-related privileges:
Exemption of their salaries, wages, and other emoluments, including allowances, and other “gross benefits received of whatever kind" from income taxation; Exclusion from capital gains and transfer taxes when they sell any real property that they own, as long as the proceeds from the sale are used directly and exclusively to acquire a house and lot, not exceeding 500 square meters, for a family dwelling; Exemption from national and local taxes and fees in connection with the transfer and registration of the new property in the name of the barangay official or employee; Other perks outlined by the bill include provisions for coverage and protection by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) — including life insurance, retirement, disability, separation, and unemployment benefits. If the barangay officials and workers will be involved in administrative or criminal cases as they are carrying out their official duties, the bill proposes that they be entitled to representation by counsel, as assigned by the Public Attorney’s Office. “Barangay officials and personnel deserve our strong support. They serve as our invaluable primary administrators at the community level," said Gullas. They are the “substance" of “grassroots democracy," he added. –VVP, GMANews.TV 
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