MANILA — Senator Erwin Tulfo urged the transfer of the budget for the death benefits of barangay officials from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to ensure faster distribution to beneficiaries.

During the Senate deliberation on the 2026 DBM budget, Tulfo raised concerns over the lengthy process that families must undergo to claim benefits. He noted that a claimant currently needs to go through the DILG provincial office, regional office, and central office, a process made more cumbersome because the funds are lodged under the DBM.

“It might come only at the first death anniversary of the departed barangay official, because for instance, the family of the barangay official is from an island, they have to go to the provincial DILG then regional DILG, then DILG Central. That might take up time to the point that they will only receive the P22,000 worth of death benefits during the first death anniversary,” Tulfo said.

Senate Finance Committee chair Sherwin Gatchalian affirmed Tulfo’s concerns, saying that due to the “complicated” process, some families of deceased barangay officials no longer claim the benefit.

This led Tulfo to recommend transferring the funds to the DILG “for swifter implementation.”

“Can we transfer the funds from DBM to DILG, instead? This will be easier for the family of the barangay official, especially those who live in far-flung areas,” he said.

The Senate Finance Committee expressed support for Tulfo’s proposal.

“So, we’ll thank you Senator Erwin for that suggestion and thank you very much for taking the cudgels of our barangay officials. This might be a small fund compared to the other line items but it goes a long way for our barangay officials,” Gatchalian said.

Tulfo also observed that many barangay officials are unaware that such benefits exist, citing his engagements with them.

“Even in Metro Manila, when you ask the barangay officials, they will tell you that they do not have any benefits. But it turns out that they have death benefits from the DBM. They might not know about this,” he said.

He recommended a wider information campaign to make barangay officials aware of the assistance available to them.

The death benefits program, which has a ₱50-million allocation in the proposed 2026 budget, covers the barangay chairman, council members, treasurer, secretary, Sangguniang Kabataan members, and people’s representatives. Families of barangay chairpersons who die during their term may receive ₱22,000, while families of other covered barangay officials may receive ₱12,000 in death and burial benefits.