Revised Barrio Charter Law

New barrios may be created or existing barrios renamed upon petition of majority voters and approval by municipal and provincial boards.
Minimum population for new barrios is 500; barrios cannot be created out of chartered cities or poblaciones.
Boundaries determined by municipal councils with assistance from provincial assessors and the Director of Lands.
Boundary disputes within municipalities decided by municipal council; appeals go to provincial board; disputes between municipalities or provinces resolved as per existing law.

Composed of all residents 18 years or older, Filipino citizens, registered for at least six months.
Meets at least once a year to hear annual reports; meetings can also be called by council or petition.
Quorum: one-fifth of assembly members; actions require majority vote of those present.

May be called by majority of assembly or at least four barrio council members with 30 days’ notice.
All registered assembly members may vote.
Used to approve budgets, supplemental appropriations, special tax ordinances, or recall barrio council members.
Majority vote of all registered members required for decision.

Elections held second Sunday of January following municipal and provincial elections; shortest term of office is four years.
Election process involves registration, secret ballot voting, challenges, and resolution of disputes by justice of the peace.
The Commission on Election supervises all barrio elections.

Citizens at least 21 years old, able to read and write, residents for six months, and registered voters.
Disqualifications include felony sentence with imprisonment of one year or more within two years of sentence, violation of allegiance, insanity, or feeblemindedness.

Councilman with highest votes succeeds barrio lieutenant in case of vacancy.
Temporary incapacity or refusal to serve is handled by next highest vote-getter among councilmen.
Abandonment defined as neglect or refusal to discharge duties for six months.

Supervises barrio officials; investigates complaints for neglect, misconduct, or crimes involving moral turpitude.
Can reprimand or submit charges to municipal council.
May suspend barrio officials pending council action (max 30 days).
Appeals from municipal council decisions go to provincial board.

Enact ordinances and resolutions consistent with law and municipal ordinances.
Construct and maintain public works like roads, bridges, schools, water and sanitation facilities.
Undertake cooperative enterprises to improve economic conditions.
Provide compensation to council members within specified limits.
Accept government and other assistance but cannot pledge future funds.
Employ community development workers.
Publish information and hold tax-exempt benefits.
Organize educational and community programs.
Regulate public usage of certain facilities and organize fire brigades.
Address juvenile delinquency with community committees.
Prepare budgets and special tax ordinances.
Enter into contracts with appropriate approvals and certificates of fund availability.
Act on resignations and other necessary functions.

Lieutenant enforces laws, negotiates contracts, maintains public order, presides over meetings.
Responsible for appointment and removal of barrio officials, subject to appeal system.
Organizes emergency groups and approves disbursement vouchers.
Councilmen assist lieutenant, act as peace officers, attend meetings, perform delegated duties.

Treasurer: custodian of funds and property, collects taxes and fees, disburses funds per budget, submits financial reports, certifies fund availability.
Secretary: custodian of records, keeps minutes, prepares voter lists, registers assembly members, prepares election documents.

Preference in government appointments, land purchase, homesteads, concessions, franchises (conditional on term served and qualifications).
Free hospitalization for duty-related injury or sickness.
Exemption from tuition fees for children in public elementary schools unless officials have high income or assets.

May levy taxes/licenses with limits (not more than 50% of equivalent municipal taxes).
Taxes on stores, signs, gamecocks; may not permit cockfights.
May collect up to 0.25% additional real property tax via municipal treasurer.

May accept monies, materials, labor from residents, government agencies, or private sources.
Donations for specific purposes go into trust funds.

Generally effective on date fixed or 60 days after passage unless plebiscite suspends effectivity.
Municipal council reviews ordinances for consistency with laws; disputes referred to provincial fiscal.
Tax ordinances effective 15 days after passage unless suspended by Secretary of Finance.
Fishing ordinances sent to Secretary of Agriculture; disapproval within 30 days terminates ordinance.
Violations punishable by fine or imprisonment.

Prepared on performance basis, cannot exceed estimated income.
Provisions for obligations and salary caps required.
Failure to enact budget results in reenactment of previous budget.
Municipal treasurer reviews budget and may declare inoperative if non-compliant.
Budget or tax ordinances require plebiscite approval before effectivity.

Treasurer collects and deposits funds with municipal treasurer weekly.
Disbursements upon vouchers approved by barrio lieutenant and funds availability certification.
Petty cash and direct purchases authorized up to specified limits.
Financial records kept by municipal treasurer, audited annually by General Auditing Office.
Personnel for financial bookkeeping may be employed, costs proportionally paid by barrios.

10% of real property taxes collected within barrio go to barrio fund, deducted from provincial and municipal shares.
Municipal treasurer may designate barrio officials as deputies for tax collection, bond premium paid by municipal government.

Barrio lieutenants renamed barrio captains sixty days after approval.
Notices and publications posted conspicuously or announced by town crier.
Provisions applicable only to barrios existing before enactment within chartered cities.
Previous conflicting laws repealed.
Separability clause for invalid provisions.
Act effective upon approval.