By Christine Fabro
President Rodrigo Duterte signed an executive order to authorize payment of death and burial benefits to Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMR) in barangays on June 18.
Under the Executive Order No. 139, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is directed to “determine such amount that is necessary to cover the payment of the death and burial benefits of IPMRs in barangays who die during their term of office.”
In coordination with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), it will also include the same in its annual budget proposal, subject to the regular budgeting process.
The Order states that under the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Years 2020 and 2021, specifically the Special Provision on the Barangay Officials Death Benefits Fund, IPMRs in barangays who die during their term of office are entitled to the death and burial benefits granted to barangay officials. – rir
