Section 13
SEC. 13. Powers and duties of the barrio council.&mdashThe barrio council shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: To promulgate barrio ordinances and resolutions not inconsistent with law or municipal ordinances as may be necessary to carry into effect and discharge the powers and duties conferred upon it by law and such as shall be necessary and proper to provide for health and safety, promote the prosperity, improve the morals, peace, order, comfort and convenience of the community and inhabitants thereof and the protection of property therein; To construct and/or maintain within its boundaries the following public works: barrio roads, bridges, viaducts, sidewalks, playgrounds and parks; school buildings; water supply, drainage, irrigation, sewerage, and public toilet facilities; and other public works projects and facilities; and for this purpose to exercise the power of eminent domain with the approval of the municipal council; To undertake cooperative enterprises that will improve the economic condition and well-being of the barrio residents. Such enterprises may include credit unions; stores for the sale or purchase of commodities and/or produce; warehouses; and activities relating to agricultural and livestock production and marketing, fishing, home arts, barrio industries, and other activities which may promote the welfare of the barrio inhabitants; To provide reasonable compensation or per diems as well as travel expenses for the barrio council members and other officials of the barrio, the total of all of which shall not exceed thirty per centum of the total annual income of the barrio nor should such compensation or per diems and travel expenses exceed the compensation, or per diems and travel expenses granted to municipal councilors of the municipality to which such barrio belong and the compensation granted to the barrio lieutenant should not exceed the salary granted to the mayor of the same municipality: Provided, That this provision shall not apply to the barrio treasurer and barrio secretary; To accept in all or any of the foregoing public works and cooperative enterprises such cooperation as is made available by municipal, provincial, and national governmental agencies established by law to render financial, technical, and advisory assistance to barrios and to barrio residents: Provided, however, That in accepting such cooperation, the barrio council may not pledge sums of money for expenditure in excess of amounts currently in the barrio treasury or encumbered for other purposes; To employ or contribute to the expenses of employing community development workers under terms of agreement made with the office of the Presidential Assistance on Community Development or with any other bureau or agency of the government; To submit to the municipal council such suggestions or recommendations as it may see fit for the improvement of its barrio and/or for the welfare of the inhabitants thereof; To provide for the publication by town crier or such other means as they see fit, of laws, ordinances, and/or matters of public interest; To hold benefits in their respective barrios without having to secure permits from the Social Welfare Administration or the municipal mayor. The proceeds from such benefits shall be tax-exempt and shall accrue to the barrio general fund; Provided, That in the appropriation thereof, the specific purpose for which the benefit has been held shall have been first satisfied: Provided, further, That no benefit shall be held within a barrio within a period of one hundred twenty days immediately preceding any national or local elections. To organize at least twice a month such lectures, programs, and/or community assemblies as may serve to educate and enlighten the people on moral, civic, political, educational, and other matters of public interest; To regulate the use of cement palay or copra driers (patios) or similar projects constructed with government funds for public service within the jurisdiction of the barrio and to charge reasonable fees for such use; To provide for the organization of fire brigades; To organize annually as soon after the barrio council shall have been elected and qualified, committees composed of men and women of high moral standing and integrity in the barrio to take care of the problem of juvenile delinquency, if the same exists, by providing spiritual help and moral guidance to the juvenile delinquents and by helping them secure wholesome recreations and entertainment in the barrio or elsewhere; To prepare, subject to the provisions of Section 21 of this Act, annual and supplemental budgets, and special tax ordinances; To enter into contracts for and in behalf of the barrio and to authorize the barrio lieutenant to do so and the barrio treasurer to make direct purchases amounting to not more than one hundred pesos at any one time for the ordinary and essential needs of the barrio. When the contract conveys real property or interest therein or which creates a lien upon the same, such contracts shall be executed in behalf of the barrio by the barrio lieutenant upon resolution of the barrio council with the approval of the municipal mayor and the provincial governor. No contracts involving the expenditure of one thousand pesos or more shall be entered into or authorized until the treasurer of the barrio shall have certified to the barrio council that funds have been duly appropriated for such purpose and the amount necessary to cover the proposed contract is available for expenditure on account thereof. Such certificate shall be attached to and become a part of the proposed contract and the sum so certified shall not thereafter be available for expenditure for any other purpose until the contract in question is lawfully abrogated or discharged. This provision shall not however apply to purchases on installment basis by the barrio. To act on resignations of barrio council members; To exercise such powers as are necessary to carry out the foregoing provisions; To initiate and submit to the barrio assembly community programs of economic and social benefit to the inhabitants of the barrio.