By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) and other barangay volunteers in Iloilo province are set to receive an additional PHP 1,000 monthly honorarium in recognition of their contributions to community services.
Provincial Population Office Chief Atty. Ruel Von Superio announced that the additional honorarium would take effect in December this year.
The beneficiaries include BSPOs, Barangay Health Workers, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Daycare Workers, and barangay tanods (peacekeepers).
“With your dedication and hard work as volunteer population workers, I want to let you know that the Local Finance Committee has allocated a budget for this,” Superio said during the BSPO Congress on Monday, Nov. 18.
He added that the funding for the additional honorarium was included in the province’s first and second supplemental budgets.
Currently, BSPOs and other barangay volunteers receive a monthly honorarium of PHP 4,000, while tanods receive PHP 2,000.
“This congress is a celebration of what we have accomplished together and a reaffirmation of our shared responsibility to build a Bagong Pilipinas. Together, we are laying the foundation for a future where every barangay is empowered, every Filipino is cared for, and every community is resilient and self-sustaining,” Superio said.
Reelectionist Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. pledged PHP 50 million to support the provincial government’s initiatives on population and development programs.
The BSPO Congress, which carried the theme “BSPO sa Bagong Pilipinas: Mapisan, Tampad, Mabakod,” gathered 2,489 BSPOs from across the province.
“Iloilo has the highest number of BSPOs in the country, which is highly commendable and would not be possible without the full support of the provincial government,” Revilla said.
The senator, who served as the event’s resource speaker, authored Senate Bill No. 2835, which aims to establish a Population Development Office (PDO) in every province, city, and municipality. The bill mandates budgetary appropriations for the PDO’s operations and capital outlays.
Revilla filed the bill in November 2022, and the Committee on Local Government conducted a joint committee hearing in August last year.
During the congress, Revilla also announced a one-time cash assistance of PHP 2,500 for each BSPO in Iloilo, which is expected to be distributed in January 2025.
“As volunteers, you are always at the forefront, especially during the pandemic. We recognize your efforts, and I am doing my best to support our volunteers,” Revilla said.