The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Region 3 has released from October 2011 to April 2012, a total amount of Php 828,000 for the beneficiaries of the 64 deceased barangay officials in Central Luzon who died during their incumbency.
Of the 84 deceased barangay officials, there were 6 Punong Barangays, 48 Sangguniang Barangay Members, 3 Barangay Treasurers and 7 Barangay Secretaries. Families of Punong Barangays received a total of P132,000 while relatives of the other barangay officials received P696,000.
According to DILG-3 Regional Director Florida M. Dijan, the payment of death benefits for barangay officials is authorized under Section 393 of the Local Government Code of 1991 and Executive Order 115 issued on August 5, 2002.
The LG Code states that barangay officials shall be entitled, during their incumbency, to insurance coverage which shall include, but not be limited to temporary and permanent disability, double indemnity, accident insurance, death and burial benefits, in accordance with R.A. 6942 entitled "An Act Increasing the Insurance Benefits of Local Government Officials and Providing Funds Therefor".
Under Executive Order 115, beneficiaries of deceased Punong Barangays will get P22,000 each, while families of Sangguniang Barangay Members, Barangay Secretaries, Barangay Treasurers and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairpersons will receive P12,000.
However, Rule VII, Section 20 of the EO states that no benefits shall be granted to a deceased barangay officials if the cause of death is either suicide or unlawful acts resulting in death.
