Cagayan de Oro City – Vice Governor Joey G. Pelaez acknowledges the importance of Barangay as “the basic political unit in our government and the most accessible venue” where people express their views, be recognized, and serves as the venue of conflict resolution. Barangay Officials also render services on a 24/7 basis such as emergency response, mediation in public and marital disputes, and educational support “despite the low pay and irregular working hours.”   Section 393 of Republic Act No. 7160, also known as Local Government Code of 1991, provides that “Barangay Officials, including Barangay Tanods and Members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa shall receive honoraria, allowances, and such other emoluments as may be authorized by law or Barangay, Municipal or City ordinance.” However this honoraria is based only on the Internal Revenue Allotment from their Local Government Units that’s “unstable, unfixed, and prone to changes and political machinations”. In addition, this set up is also not beneficial to Barangay Officials serving poor municipalities with lesser IRA.   With these issues at hand, Vice Governor Pelaez authored Sangguniang Panlalawigan Resolution No. 133-2015 “Urging the Senate of the Philippines and House of Representatives to pass a law providing fixed salaries to elected Barangay Officials, including Barangay Secretaries and Treasurers, and giving them additional benefits and incentives.” According to Vice Governor Pelaez, this is an effort to honor Barangay Officials for “the large amount of duties they perform”, adding that the honorarium that they are receiving now are “inadequate, not commensurate and disproportionate to the responsibilities and work that they do”.   “In the spirit of justice and to promote good governance, it is imperative to afford elected Barangay Officials, including the Barangay Secretaries and treasures, ample remuneration and additional benefits in order to fuel further their passion to serve,” Vice Governor Pelaez articulated.  Vice Governor Pelaez’s Resolution was severally seconded during the 18th Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan last 19 May 2015. As Vice President of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines, Vice Governor Joey Pelaez will write to all the Vice Governors in the country to encourage them to pass a similar Resolution. He will also furnish a copy of the Resolution to the Senators and Congressmen who have sponsored a bill on the same matter.