The Legazpi City Government has allocated PHP2.7 million in subsidy for barangay tanods (village watch), designed to provide an additional monthly honorarium for the city’s peacekeepers.
In an interview on Friday, Mayor Alfredo Garbin said the budget was approved by the Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Council), benefiting 1,400 barangay tanods across the city’s 70 barangays.
“Recognizing the value of barangay tanods who are on the front lines of maintaining peace and order, this subsidy may seem small, but it demonstrates our appreciation for their service. They have been requesting this increase since last year. We have added a subsidy of PHP200 per month,” he said.
Each beneficiary will now receive at least PHP2,100 quarterly, an increase from the previous honorarium of PHP1,500.
Teresita Olaño, a 56-year-old widowed mother of six and a tanod for seven years in Barangay Lapu-Lapu, expressed her gratitude for the additional honorarium, saying it would significantly help with her daily expenses.
“Thank you for increasing our salary, even if it’s just a little. At least it’s an increase. That’s why I continue serving as a tanod – not just for the pay but to help our barangay,” she said.
Other funds
Meanwhile, Garbin said the renovation of the City Hall is expected to begin after the elections, citing the importance of improving city infrastructure as a reflection of good governance.
The two-story building project has a budget of PHP146 million.
“The City Hall is the first point of contact for transactions and tourists visiting our city. As they say, charity begins at home. If we can’t improve our own house, how can we claim to be the most livable and business-competitive city?” Garbin said.
He also reported that the city government has allocated funds for rehabilitating the Legazpi City Water District, providing medical assistance and equipment for the hospital, improving the electricity service, and implementing flood mitigation efforts.
The city government has also raised the salaries of job order and contract service workers.
Garbin also said that early this month, he met with Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to seek his support for priority programs in Legazpi City.
“Secretary Dizon manifested his support in our proposed development of the old Legazpi City Airport into a business hub that will ramp up our local revenues while boosting tourism and employment opportunities,” he said. (PNA)
