AN ACT TO AMEND AND REVISE REPUBLIC ACT NUMBERED TWENTY-THREE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY

Case Overview and Summary

Summary of the Revised Barrio Charter (Republic Act No. 3590)

Definition and General Provisions
- Defines barrios as units of municipalities or municipal districts, with quasi-municipal corporation powers. (Section 2)
- Barrios can sue and be sued, contract, acquire property, and exercise powers conferred by law. (Section 2)

Organization of Barrios
- New barrios can be created or existing ones renamed by the provincial board upon petition and recommendation of the municipal council. (Section 3)
- Barrio boundaries are determined by municipal councils, with procedures for resolving boundary disputes. (Section 3)
- The barrio assembly consists of residents aged 18 and above, with powers to recommend measures, decide on plebiscites, act on budgets and taxes, and hear annual reports. (Sections 4-6)
- Barrio council consists of one barrio captain and six barrio councilmen, elected every four years. (Sections 7-8)
- Qualifications for voters and candidates, rights of succession for vacancies, and supervisory powers of the municipal mayor over barrio officials are specified. (Sections 9-12)

Powers, Rights, and Duties
- Barrio council has powers to enact ordinances, construct public works, undertake cooperative enterprises, provide compensation, accept assistance, employ community workers, make recommendations, publish matters of public interest, hold benefits, organize lectures and programs, regulate public facilities, organize fire brigades and juvenile delinquency committees, prepare budgets and contracts, and initiate community programs. (Section 13)
- Barrio captain enforces laws, negotiates contracts, maintains order, presides over meetings, appoints officials, leads emergency groups, approves vouchers, attends conventions, and looks after welfare. (Section 14)
- Barrio councilmen assist the captain, attend meetings, act as peace officers, and perform delegated duties. (Section 14)
- Barrio treasurer is the custodian of funds and property, collects taxes and fees, disburses funds, submits financial statements, renders public accounting, and certifies fund availability. (Section 15)
- Barrio secretary keeps records, minutes, voter lists, registers new members, and prepares election forms. (Section 15)
- Barrio officials have preferences in government appointments, land purchases, homesteads, free hospitalization, and tuition exemptions, subject to conditions. (Section 16)
- Barrio council can levy taxes on stores, signs, gamecocks and cockfights (up to 50% of municipal taxes), and an additional real property tax up to 0.25% of assessed value. (Section 17)
- Barrio council can accept contributions from residents, government agencies, and private sources. (Section 18)

Procedures
- Barrio council meetings, quorum requirements, and committee formations are specified. (Section 19)
- Procedures for effectivity of barrio ordinances, including review by municipal council and Secretary of Finance for tax ordinances, are outlined. (Section 20)
- Barrio budgets must comply with statutory obligations, salary laws, and not exceed estimated income, subject to review by municipal treasurer. (Section 21)
- Financial procedures for tax collection, disbursements, petty cash, accounting, and auditing by the General Auditing Office are specified. (Section 22)
- 10% of real property taxes collected within the barrio accrue to the barrio general fund. (Section 23)

Final Provisions
- Barrio lieutenants are renamed barrio captains. (Section 24)
- Notices and publications are posted or announced by street crier. (Section 25)
- The Act applies to existing barrios in chartered cities. (Section 26)
- Repealing and separability clauses, and effectivity date are provided. (Sections 27-29)