After months of calamities and rising daily costs that have strained households across Cebu City, the City Council has approved a one-time P5,000 cash assistance for barangay workers, citing their continued frontline service amid economic and environmental challenges.
The ordinance, authored by Councilor Franklyn Ong, was approved during the council’s regular session on Wednesday, December 16, after being fast-tracked due to urgency certified by Mayor Nestor Archival.
“This ordinance seeks to grant barangay workers a one-time cash assistance of P5,000 each. In light of the calamities that affected our city for the past three months, it is both fair and humane that they receive this assistance,” Ong said during the session.
Ong noted that a similar measure was passed last year and moved for the ordinance to be immediately taken up to third reading, citing the Mayor’s Certificate of Urgency.
“Considering that the same ordinance was passed last year and in lieu of the Mayor’s certificate emphasizing the urgency of the matter, I moved that this ordinance be taken up to third reading,” he said.
A motion approving the ordinance on second and third reading was raised and carried.
Councilor Philip Zafra, who presided over the session, confirmed that the measure was approved due to the urgency certified by the mayor.
The ordinance provides direct financial support to barangay-based workers who have remained on the frontlines during inflation, flooding, and other weather-related emergencies.
Barangay workers are often among the first responders during disasters, health emergencies, and community crises, ensuring the delivery of basic government services at the purok level.
The approval followed earlier council action on December 12, when the proposed ordinance passed first reading during a special session. At that time, Ong moved for its adoption, with Councilor Dave Tumulak seconding the motion.
The measure was then referred to the committees on Budget and Finance and on Laws for joint review.
Formally titled “An Ordinance Prescribing the Grant of One-Time Cash Assistance to Barangay-Based Workers,” the measure covers up to 87 duly identified barangay-based workers who receive honoraria or counterparts from the Cebu City Government.
Each qualified worker will receive P5,000 in one-time cash assistance, scheduled for release not earlier than December 20, 2025. Eligibility is limited to workers who were actively rendering service within Cebu City’s territorial jurisdiction as of July 1, 2025.
To qualify, barangay workers must:
– Be in active service as of July 1, 2025, as certified by their respective punong barangay
– Secure a certification of satisfactory performance
– Submit a copy of their appointment for payroll processing
The ordinance anchors its policy basis on the 1987 Constitution and the Local Government Code, which mandate the promotion of social justice, economic security, and general welfare.
It also cites data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing that inflation rose to 4.4 percent in July 2024, increasing the financial strain on low-income earners such as barangay workers who rely mainly on modest honoraria.
The measure further recognizes the continued service of barangay workers during recent flooding and adverse weather events across the city.
“Despite risking life and limb, these barangay workers have stood to the challenge and ensured that the mandate of the Cebu City Government to protect its people is fulfilled,” the ordinance stated. (LLP)
