Presidential Decree No. 1232

• WHEREAS, the Governor of Metropolitan Manila has organized the Barangay Community Brigades which have proven to be effective auxiliary groups for beautification, health, sanitation, peace and order, rescue and relief operations, traffic management, and other civic development programs which require barangay participation with the end in view of maintaining continued and effective partnership and rapport between government and people;

• WHEREAS, towards this end, it is imperative to mobilize the massive productive manpower resources at the local level for national progress;

• WHEREAS, the Barangay Community Brigades have been conceived as the means for tapping the potential manpower of the country and involving them in Barangay affairs; and

• WHEREAS, in recognition of the active participation, fruitful contribution and constructive role played by the Barangay Community Brigades, it is deemed necessary to raise their legal status and vest them with additional privileges as added incentives to the faithful performance and discharge of their functions and duties;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution, do hereby order and decree:"

The Barangay Community Brigades consisting of the Barangay Volunteer Brigade, Barangay Ladies Auxiliary Brigade, Barangay Disaster Brigade, Barangay Traffic Auxiliary Brigade, Barangay Tanod Brigade and such other Brigades as may be organized by the Governor of Metropolitan Manila are hereby extended official recognition as such.

Article One hundred and fifty-two of Act Numbered Thirty eight hundred and fifteen, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows:

• Article 152  Persons in Authority and Agents of Persons in Authority – Who shall be deemed as such.

  In applying the provisions of the preceding and other articles of this Code, any person directly vested with jurisdiction whether as an individual or as a member of some court or government-owned or controlled corporation, board, or commission, shall be deemed a person in authority.

  Any person who, by direct provision of law or by election or by appointment by competent authority, is charged with the maintenance of public order and the protection and security of life and property, such as a barangay councilman, barangay policeman, barangay leader, officers and members of the Barangay Community Brigades, and any person who comes to the aid of persons in authority, shall be deemed an agent of a person in authority. A barangay captain and/or barangay chairman shall also be deemed a person in authority.

  In applying the provisions of Articles 148 and 151 of this Code, teachers, professors, and persons charged with the supervision of public or duly recognized private schools, colleges and universities, shall be deemed persons in authority.

The Officers and members of the Barangay Community Brigades referred to in Section 1 hereof shall be extended insurance coverage in the form and extent to be determined jointly by the Secretary of Local Government and Community Development, Secretary of National Defense, Secretary of Finance, Governor of Metropolitan Manila and the General Manager of the Government Service and Insurance System who shall promulgate rules and regulations on the matter.

All laws, decree, rules and regulations inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed, amended of modified accordingly.

This Decree shall take effect immediately.