MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Sangguniang Barangays in the country to create a Yuletide Assistance Program for barangay officials and workers.

Duterte signed Executive Order No. 99 on December 6, a copy of which was released to the media on Monday.

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In his order, the President said the assistance program would provide “economic empowerment” to barangay officials and functionaries.

He said “the State values the significant contribution of the barangay in the attainment of the objectives under the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, through its unconditional and passionate service rendered to the community, despite the inherent limitations in resources, logistics, facilities and remuneration.”

He added that the government “recognizes the role of the Barangay as an engine for national growth, and acknowledges the significant role and enormous responsibility of our barangay officials and functionaries in nation-building.”

He cited that “barangay officials and functionaries are at the forefront in the delivery of essential and basic government services, such as healthcare, social welfare, agricultural support, settlement of disputes, peace and order. as well as the promotion of the general interest of the community.”

Duterte said the Yuletide season is an “opportune time” to establish the assistance program “in recognition of their valuable and meaningful service that effect genuine and positive change in their respective communities.”

In his order, the President said the Yuletide Social Assistance Program of the barangays should be charged against the barangays’ available funds.

He ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to “issue appropriate guidelines” for the implementation of the assistance program.

For the succeeding years, he said the DILG and the DBM should “study and propose measures for the provision of social assistance to qualified barangay officials and functionaries” and to identify funding sources for the program.

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