FEATURE STORY: The City of Parañaque honors top-performing barangays

 

                                                                                                                               PHOTO CREDIT:  Daily Tribune

The local government of Parañaque announced on Sunday that it has awarded its top-performing barangays in the city last 16 August 2024.

According to the city government, the awards — which started in 2013 — aim to highlight programs implemented by each barangay in keeping the order and beauty of their community and raising the quality of life of every Parañaqueño.

Barangays San Dionisio and Don Bosco took the top spot of Outstanding Barangays for Districts 1 and 2, respectively.  READ MORE

Comelec oks proposed 6-year term for barangay officials. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) does not have any objections to the proposal in the House of Representatives for a fixed six-year term for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials.

In a media forum in Manila, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they are ready to implement whatever the decision of lawmakers on the terms of barangay and SK officials.

"For us, whatever is the decision of Congress on that matter, since it is their pure discretion, we will support it," said Garcia. READ MORE

Tacloban health office identifies 11 barangays with dengue cases The City Health Office (CHO) has reported clustering cases of dengue fever in 11 barangays across the city.

In an announcement made on Wednesday, August 14, the CHO revealed that based on the surveillance conducted by the City pidemiology and Surveilance Unit (CESU) over the past four weeks, 11 barangays have been identified as having clusters of dengue cases.

Clustering of dengue cases occurs when a barangay has three or more reported cases of the disease. At present, these barangays have 36 combined cases of dengue fever. READ MORE 

Barangay officials are vital partners in national progress—Senator Bong Go. Senator Christopher “Bong” Go joined barangay officials from various regions for the Liga ng mga Barangay-National Congress Cluster II at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Saturday.

In his speech, Go highlighted the crucial role barangay officials play in the lives of ordinary Filipinos, praising their contributions to enhancing public service delivery.

Describing them as “superstars in their own right,” he underscored their importance in governance and community welfare, stressing their role as vital partners in national progress. READ MORE 

Cebu City barangay told to remove paint on the rocks. THE paint on the rocks at Lusaran Dam in Barangay Lusaran, Cebu City is targeted to be fully removed by Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, the barangay captain assured.

The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) stated that the rock painting potentially violates environmental regulations, including vandalism.

In a phone interview on Friday, Aug. 16, Barangay Captain Agustin Partulan told SunStar Cebu that at least 100 individuals, mostly residents, have helped the barangay in manually removing the paint applied to the surface of three large rocks along the Lusaran River.  READ MORE

30 barangays in Apayao seen as good governance awardees. Some 30 barangays in the province of Apayao are potential passers for 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance Award for Barangay (SGLGB) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), based on initial assessment of DILG-Apayao.

The SGLGB is an annual performance assessment and recognition system that evaluates barangays based on various governance areas to encourage local service improvement through recognition and incentives. It is one of the top awards a barangay government can get from the DILG.

To be eligible, a barangay needs to pass three (3) Core Governance Areas, namely: 1) Financial Administration and Sustainability; 2) Disaster Preparedness; and, 3) Safety, Peace and Order; and Essential Governance Areas, namely: 1) Social Protection and Sensitivity; 2) Business-Friendliness and Competitiveness; and 3) Environmental Management.  READ MORE

SPECIAL REPORT:  Residents of disaster-prone barangay in Manila vigilant over the threat of earthquakes. In the densely populated Barangay 118, Zone 9 of District 1 in Manila City, Philippines, disaster feels imminent. The area is characterized by aging, dilapidated single- and double-storey buildings, their worn facades in desperate need of repair, reflecting years of urban decline. These structures are packed closely together on narrow, congested streets, teeming with a chaotic mix of human activity, jeepneys, tricycles, and taxis.

In this disaster-prone barangay, the threat of earthquakes and flash floods is ever-present. Despite the outward appearance of relative calm, residents maintain a vigilant stance, their daily lives a delicate balance of preparedness and resilience.

This struggle for survival demands solidarity, uniting friends and foes, local government units (LGUs), community leaders, civil society, and vulnerable groups, including the elderly, those with disabilities, as well as youth and women’s groups. READ MORE 

Tanods in Lapu-Lapu City deputized for traffic duty. Barangay tanods in Lapu-Lapu City will soon be deputized as agents of the City Traffic Management System (CTMS), with Barangay Bankal being the first to have a deputized agent.

In fact, the deputized agent, Efepanio Igot, already sighted a truck driver last Monday for violating the truck ban.

Deputized agents have the authority to cite motorists for traffic violations such as illegal parking or driving while wearing slippers, shorts, or sleeveless shirts. READ MORE 

Barangay-based anti human trafficking to be launched by the Department of Justice. The Department of Justice (DOJ), through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), is set to launch the Barangay IACAT 2.0 Program, a grassroots initiative aimed at strengthening efforts to combat human trafficking in the Philippines.

Scheduled to commence on August 22, 2024, in Antipolo City, the three-day event will involve a variety of activities including town hall meetings, educational sessions, and a motorcade, all designed to raise awareness and mobilize communities in the fight against trafficking.

The Barangay IACAT 2.0 Program emphasizes the importance of local government units, particularly at the barangay level, in the national strategy to prevent and address human trafficking. By directly engaging local officials, stakeholders, and community members, the program seeks to foster a collective and proactive approach to safeguarding vulnerable populations from exploitation. READ MORE  

 La Union barangay workers gets SSS coverage. The Social Security System (SSS) in La Union inked separate agreements with local officials of Barangays Poro and Lingsat to ensure the social security protection of their barangay officials and workers through the KaSSSangga Collect Program (KCP).

The Social Security System (SSS) in La Union inked separate agreements with local officials of Barangays Poro and Lingsat to ensure the social security protection of their barangay officials and workers through the KaSSSangga Collect Program (KCP).

“These barangay JO and COS workers, although working in the local government, are not covered by the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). Hence, SSS wants to extend social security coverage to them,” Pentecostes said.  READ MORE 

Iloilo City punong barangay suspended for 60 days. The "punong barangay" (barangay chairman) of San Isidro in the district of Jaro, Iloilo City is ordered suspended for 60 days.

Barangay Chairman Ronela Juaneza received a copy of the preventive suspension order at 4 p.m. on August 21, 2024.

The suspension order is in relation to the alleged questionable release of barangay funds worth around P800,000 from December 2023 to January 2024. READ MORE

Bacolod City urges barangays to enforce curfew for minors. The Bacolod City Legal Office (CLO) urged all the barangay officials to strictly enforce City Ordinance (CO) No. 331 or the curfew ordinance for minors. 

City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting, Jr. said yesterday the barangay should impose CO No. 331 or an Ordinance providing special protection for children during nighttime by imposing a curfew on minors from 10 p.m. to 4:00 the following morning.

He said the classes already started so the barangay should also take their part to ensure the safety of the students especially, during nighttime.  READ MORE 

New Baguio barangay Indigenous People Mandatory Representative elected. Former Punong Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairperson Marvin P. Binay-an was recently elected as the new Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) of barangay Camp 7 following the selection process pursuant to established guidelines in the naming of IPMRs.

Binay-an edged out erstwhile Camp 7 IPMR Norberto Antonio, Sr., who was seeking his reelection to the said position for his supposed third term in office, during the selection process that was conducted last August 16, 2924. 

The incoming Camp 7 IPMR is currently completing the documentary requirements prior to his assuming the barangay IPMR and will seat as member of the barangay council. READ MORE

FEATURE STORY: QC SK Council shines at 5th Philippine Sanggunian Kabataan Awards

 

                                                                          PHOTO CREDIT: QC Government/Manila Bulletin

The Quezon City’s Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Council won multiple accolades at the 5th Philippine Sangguniang Kabataan Awards (PSKA) on August 12 held at the Boracay Newcoast Convention Center in Boracay, Malay, Aklan.

According to the city government, the city's SK Council was recognized as one of the top five Outstanding SK Councils in the Federation Category, alongside other distinguished cities such as Pasig City, Santiago City, Isabela, Carmona City in Cavite, and Laoang in Northern Samar. Several QC SK projects were also recognized in the National SK Project in Barangay Category.

The award-winning projects include:

‘Sineskwela’ of Barangay Batasan Hills; ‘Bida Kabuhayan’ of Barangay Sta. Cruz; ‘Reskyusi’ of Barangay Commonwealth; ‘Project C.A.R.E’ of Barangay Sauyo. READ MORE

Barangay in Manila, where Carlos Yulo grew up, in a festive mood as he returns home. Before his roaring success on the biggest stage in sports, Carlos Yulo was once a young aspiring athlete, growing up in the streets of Barangay 711 in Leveriza, Manila where his pathway to gold and glory started.

And for those who first witnessed him dream big — his neighbors in their barangay — they are thrilled to see the Filipino gymnast achieve what he has always been working for.

"Imagine-in niyo po yun kapitbahay na po namin. Ngayon po, siya na 'yung nagrerepresent ng Pilipinas," one of Yulo's neighbors told GMA Integrated News' Jonathan Andal. READ MORE

Congress proposes 6-year term for barangay officials. House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and other ranking lawmakers have proposed setting a fixed term of six years for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials to ensure continuity and projects and to protect them from politicking.

Romualdez, during the Liga ng mga Barangay National Congress in Pasay City on Tuesday, announced that they have filed House Bill (HB) No. 10747, or the proposed Act Setting the Term of Office of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Officials to Six Years.

According to the Speaker, he and House lawmakers decided to set a fixed six-year term for barangay officials to do away with confusion brought by recent term extensions, poll suspensions, and other laws. READ MORE

Surigao Del Sur residents vote for creation of new barangay.  Over 1,400 residents in Surigao del Sur voted for the creation of Barangay Guinhalinan in the municipality of Barobo, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Sunday.                                                                                                                                                            

In a statement, the Comelec said there were 2,574 voters in the province, but only 1,459 individuals voted. Of this figure, 1,434 voters answered “yes,” while 14 said “no” to the formation of the barangay under Republic Act No. 11986, which was approved last March 21.

According to Comelec, the officials of Barangay Guinhalinan will be chosen by the Barobo mayor. READ MORE

Speaker Romualdez eyes SSS coverage for barangay officials. Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday told thousands of barangay officials throughout the country that they may soon become members of the Social Security System (SSS), which will be funded by the national government.

At the same time, he informed members of the Liga ng Mga Barangay holding its National Congress at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Pasay City that he authored a bill in the House of Representatives that would grant barangay officers a fixed term of office for six years.

He said he has already met with the president of SSS on his advocacy of making barangay officials as members of the pension fund, so they could be covered by life insurance and enjoy lifetime pension. READ MORE

Davao City strengthens coordination with barangays. The City Government of Davao continues to strengthen its coordination with all 182 barangays through its caravans and an open line of communication with the barangay captains. 

To further ensure that the concerns of every Dabawenyo is being catered to, barangay captains are urged to reach out to the City Mayor’s Office (CMO) for the problems, concerns, and projects of their barangays.

If you have needs and concerns in your barangay, do not hesitate to reach out to our office so that we can allocate the funds in the government),” Mayor Sebastian Duterte said during his 2nd State of the City Address (SOCA). READ MORE

AFP Report:  Projects completed in rebel-cleared barangays in Regions 6 and 7.  The 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (3ID) reported on Tuesday that a total of 584 projects funded under the support to barangay development program (SBDP) were completed in Central and Western Visayas from 2021 to 2023.

3ID commander Maj. Gen. Marion R. Sison, during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, said the SBDP comes after a barangay (village) cleared from insurgency has undergone the retooled community support program where issues and concerns affecting the community are identified.

Of the completed projects, he said 392 are in Western Visayas, which since 2021 have been allocated PHP4.32 billion worth of projects. READ MORE

Two new cell towers completed in remote Cebu barangays. In a significant stride towards bridging the digital divide, Globe has installed new cell towers in three remote barangays in Cebu province. This initiative brings reliable connectivity to long-underserved areas, fostering both economic growth and social inclusion.

“As we continue to expand our network, we remain committed to providing equitable access to digital services across the Philippines so that Filipinos can participate fully in the digital economy,” said Joel Agustin, Globe SVP and Head of Network Planning and Engineering.

Brgy. Ilihan in Tabogon, Brgy. Poblacion in Compostela, and Brgy. Simala in Sibonga have historically faced challenges in accessing reliable connectivity due to their geographical location and limited infrastructure. READ MORE

'Turista sa Barangay Program’ launched in Iloilo. The Iloilo provincial government, under the leadership of Governor Arthur R. Defensor Jr., officially launched the “Turista sa Barangay” program on August 13 through Executive Order No. 168, Series of 2024.

This initiative, part of the broader MoRProGRes (Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally Competitive, and Resilient Province of Iloilo), aims to transform local barangays into vibrant community venues for tourism events and activities, aligned with the Provincial Tourism Development Plan.

“The barangay is recognized as the frontline LGU in developing the tourism industry, serving as the community venue for tourism events and activities, as well as the established point of care for tourists of the Province,” the executive order states.  READ MORE

New guidebook to help barangay nutrition scholars fight malnutrition. Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients.

 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 37 million children under the age of five years are overweight, while some 149 million are stunted.

To address the ongoing issue of malnutrition in the Philippines, experts from the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) and the National Nutrition Council (NNC) are developing a new guidebook for barangay nutrition scholars (BNS). READ MORE 

Laguna confirms cases of African Swine Fever in 5 barangays. The provincial government of Laguna has confirmed cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) in two cities and one town.

According to the Provincial Veterinary Office in Laguna, the LGUs affected are the following: San Pablo City (1); Calamba City (2); Nagcarlan (2).

In response, the Provincial Government of Laguna is now distributing disinfectants to the areas affected.

"'Yung population naman natin dito sa Laguna, hindi naman ganoon kadami compared to 'yung ibang probinsiya dito sa CALABARZON," Dr. Mary Grace Bustamante of the Provincial Veterinary Office-Laguna, said. READ MORE 

Kabataan Party List questions unfinished 2024 Barangay Development Projects. Not one of the 885 Barangay Development Projects (BDP) of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) for 2024 has so far been implemented, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) told a House budget deliberation on Thursday.                                                     

DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan made the response during the questioning of Kabataan party-list Representative Raoul Manuel, who noted that the NTF-ELCAC is notorious for delayed implementation of BDP, which takes at least three years before full implementation.

The proposed 2025 national budget has earmarked P7.8 billion for the NTF-ELCAC for its implementation of BDPs. The DILG, however, oversees the implementation of the BDPs since local government units that receive BDP funds are under its jurisdiction. READ MORE 

Solar-powered system now supplies water to 200 families in Albay upland barangay.  At least 200 families from an upland village in Sto. Domingo town, Albay province, now have free access to clean and safe  water from a solar-powered water system provided by the the Ako Bicol (AKB) Party-List. 

In an interview during the inauguration and turnover ceremony of the facility on Thursday, Barangay Lidong chairperson Lany Añonuevo said the project will address the water problem in their village. 

"We are very glad for the project that was given to us. Before, our residents needed to travel more than 500 meters just to get water. This is not just an infrastructure that was built to help us but a way to make our lives more comfortable and easier," Añonuevo said in Filipino. READ MORE 

FEATURE STORY: Tabaco City Barangay hosts P10 Million tourist rest area facility

A tourist rest facility worth PHP10 million will soon rise at Hiraya Manawari Nature Park in Barangay San Vicente, Tabaco City, Albay and is expected to provide convenience to tourists and travelers and enhance their overall experience in the province.

In her speech during the groundbreaking ceremony attended by local tourism stakeholders and provincial and municipal officials, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia-Frasco said the project is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directives to ensure that the needs of tourists are met.

“We found that the number one concern of tourists is a lack of public restrooms so we wasted no time and began conceptualizing a project that would ensure that the needs of our tourists are met and their convenience and safety are a top priority. For the world to love the Philippines, so too must we show our love for our tourists and there could be no better place to put a TRA (tourist rest area) here in Albay than in the city of true love (Tabaco City),” Frasco said. READ MORE 

OPINION: The barangays as the pillars of local governance by San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora. The barangay is the most basic political unit in the Philippines. Its concept dates back long before the Spaniards came to our country. It originated from the word “balangay”, the traditional boat used by early Filipino settlers who built their small communities with an established rule of governance during pre-colonial times. 

The barangay system as the cornerstone of Philippine society and governance may have evolved through the centuries, but it has maintained its core function of bridging the government to the local communities.

Today, there are more than 42,000 barangays across our archipelago. With the Punong Barangay at its helm, together with its council of Barangay Kagawads and Sangguniang Kabataan officials, barangays serve as the building blocks of our country's decentralized local government system, which enables a more effective governance at the grassroots level. They play crucial roles in community development, local governance, and public service. READ MORE 

Barangay chief clamps down on alleged coastal road juvenile thieves. Barangay 76-A Chairman Robert Olan-Olan raised concerns about the growing number of young people involved in metal theft along the Davao City Coastal Road, particularly from Quezon Boulevard to Times Beach. 

He shared these concerns during the culminating activity of the 29th Police Community Relations at the San Pedro Police Station on July 31, 2024. 

Olan-Olan revealed that he has apprehended 13 minors caught stealing metal in the area. To address the issue, he implemented interventions for these young offenders, including involving their guardians. READ MORE

Solar power project launched in Bataan barangay. Alternergy Holdings Corporation on Wednesday launched the Solana Solar Project today with a groundbreaking ceremony in Barangay Balsik, Hermosa.

This 28-megawatt solar power initiative, held on July 31, 2024, marks a significant step towards enhancing renewable energy capacity in the region and supporting the Philippines’ sustainable development goals.

Key figures at the event include Alternergy President Gerry P. Magbanua, NGCP District 5 Head Fernando Guillen, and Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Joet Garcia III. Local leaders such as Hermosa Mayor Antonio Joseph “Jopet” Rivera Inton, Provincial Board Member Tony Roman III and Barangay Balsik’s Punong Barangay Amado “Bida” Roncal also attended, expressing strong support for the project. READ MORE

Western Visayas barangays established the HAPAG sa Barangay Porject in their areas.  A total of 3045 out of the 4051 barangays of Western Visayas have establsihed the government's HAPAG (Halina't Magtanim ng Prutas at Gulay) sa Barangay Project as of February this year, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

From July 2023 until Feb 2024, the gardens have generated 237 kilograms of assorted vegetables and yielded 67,000 kilograms of assorted fruits, impacting food security, and providing income totaling PHP22.844 million to barangays (villages).

From community projects, it has expanded to the backyards of over 86,000 households. READ MORE 

Two provinces in North Luzon claim mountain barangay of Malico.  Sitting 1,675 meters above sea level, the mountain village of Malico is so cool that it's generating a lot of heat between two provinces that claim jurisdiction over it.

Officially, Malico is part of San Nicolas town in Pangasinan, which Gov. Ramon Guico III says has historically been part of his province. In fact, the provincial government recently allocated P200 million for the development of a summer capital for tourists.

The plan, however, drew fire from Nueva Vizcaya Gov. Jose Gambito, who told The Manila Times that Guico's announcement to allocate funds for various projects in Malico was "an attempt by the provincial government of Pangasinan to assert control over our very own Malico village."  READ MORE  

Three more Lapu-Lapu City barangays declared fully drug-cleared. Three more barangays in Lapu-Lapu City were declared fully drug-cleared after complying with all parameters set forth by the Regional Oversight Committee for the Barangay Drug Clearing Program.

These barangays are Pangan-an, Caubian, and Kalawisan.

The Regional Oversight Committee for the Barangay Drug Clearing Program is headed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), with member agencies including the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Health (DOH). READ MORE

Cebu city barangay site of new desalination plant. A new desalination plant in Barangay Mambaling here opened on Wednesday and now provides more reliable water supply to over 20,000 households and commercial establishments in the central and southern part of the city.

The plant, integrated into the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD) system, practically addresses the persistent water shortage in the area.

MCWD Board Chairman Jose Daluz III, General Manager Edgar Donoso, and officials from Pilipinas Water Resources Inc. (PWRI) inspected the plant's injection point and tested the water pressure. The water quality met all standards set by MCWD's Water Quality Laboratory, ensuring it is safe for consumption. READ MORE            

Davao City barangays lectured on the importance of watershed management. The Watershed Management Council conducted its fourth Information Education Campaign in barangay Inayangan, Calinan District on July 29, 2024. 

During the IEC, barangay functionaries and tribal leaders of the Bagobo Klata tribe were given a lecture about the importance of watersheds and the risks of not taking care of them, the dos and donts of in water critical areas, and also the allowable uses of the current zones in the barangay.

Atty. Carmela Tongo, WMC Secretariat, discussed the existing Ordinance No. 03107, commonly known as the Watershed Protection, Conservation and Management Ordinance or the Watershed Code. READ MORE 

Farmers in Negros Oriental barangays receive livelihood grants. The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Negros Oriental has begun distributing PHP15 million worth of livelihood projects to beneficiaries in the province, an official said Thursday.

Rubie Cempron, DOLE-Negros Oriental senior labor and employment officer and livelihood focal person, said the first batch of beneficiaries to receive their livelihood grants was from Bindoy town.

“We are currently turning over today two projects worth some PHP1.7 million to two groups in Bindoy as the first of a series of rollouts for the DOLE Integrated Livelihood Program (DILP) this year,” Cempron said in an interview. READ MORE 

Warrants of Levy issued to residents of 9 Palawan barangays for failure to pay real property taxes. The Local Revenue Division Office of the Provincial Treasurer Office (OPT) of the provincial government has issued a warrant of levy to delinquent real property taxpayers in various barangays of Sofronio Española, Palawan.

Employees of the OPT personally delivered the warrants from July 22-26 to delinquent taxpayers in the barangays of Abo-abo, Isumbo, Panitian, Labog, Punang, Iraray, Pulot Interior, Pulot Center, and Pulot Shore due to their failure to pay the required taxes within the designated period.

The Palawan Provincial Information Office (PIO) said Thursday that this step precedes a public auction sale of the properties of those who have not paid their taxes. READ MORE 

Allowance of Iloilo Barangay Nutrition Scholars increased.  The provincial government has increased the allowance of Iloilo’s 1,800 Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) this year.

During the first day of the two-day 2nd BNS convention on Thursday, Iloilo provincial administrator Raul Banias, who represented Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., said a PHP500 increase was included in the Supplemental Budget No. 1 passed by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board) on Tuesday and approved by the governor on Wednesday.

With this, the nutrition scholars can initially expect a PHP4,500 allowance, from the previous PHP4,000, by the end of the year.  READ MORE

4 Kagawads in Iloilo City accused of selling lots in relocation sites. Members of a barangay council in Iloilo City are now in hot water after they were accused of selling over 15 lots in a relocation site in Barangay San Isidro, District of Jaro. The sale of the lots was consummated allegedly in 2019, according to Barangay Chairwoman Ronela Juaneza.

The four "kagawads" accused are Ruby Gallano, Rosalinda Camarista, Eugenio Bolivar, and Bernard Gemulgada. READ MORE  

                                       
 

 

 

    

  

BARANGAY NEWS AND EVENTS NATIONWIDE THIS WEEK June 16-22 2024

FEATURE STORY:  Cebu City barangay objects to renaming street by the city council

The name Spoliarium St. should stay.

This was the position of the Duljo-Fatima Barangay Council after the Cebu City Council approved an ordinance renaming Spoliarium St. to Mayor Eulogio E. Borres St. without prior consultation.

It also pointed out that the changing of the street name is not fitting as the late mayor was a resident of Barangay Pasil and not Duljo-Fatima.

The council approved on April 3, 2024 the ordinance authored by City Councilor James Anthony Cuenco. The barangay council then passed a resolution on April 11, opposing the ordinance.

Signed by Duljo-Fatima Barangay Captain Nobie Cabatino, the resolution reached the City Council last June 5.

The barangay council also asked the mayor to repeal the ordinance “for lack of basis and for not conforming with the guidelines” for the renaming of streets as laid down by the National Historical Commission (NHC).

Spoliarium St. spans a total of 586 meters in length, with the greater portion within the jurisdiction of Duljo-Fatima.

NHC guidelines

According to the barangay council, the ordinance contravenes the provisions and prohibitions in the revised guidelines promulgated by the NHC on the naming and renaming of streets, public schools, plazas, buildings, bridges and other public structures.

“Hispanized and foreign terms should be retained if they have attained a degree of historical significance and have been sanctified by usage,” the NHC said.

The NHC further said that “no place should be renamed if the present name has attained a degree of historical association and has developed an importance of its own.”

Spoliarium St. got its name from Juan Luna’s painting, “Spoliarium,” which depicts the aftermath of gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome. The painting symbolizes the oppression and suffering experienced by the Filipino people under Spanish colonial rule.

The barangay council said that because of its cultural importance and significance, Spoliarium St. has been listed on the website Cebupedia.com, Google Maps and the Cebuano Studies Center as one of the notable streets in Cebu City.

Procedure

Cuenco, in a message on Sunday, June 9, said standard procedure on naming or renaming city-owned roads requires referrals only to the committee on laws and the Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission.

Cuenco said both bodies endorsed the draft copy of the ordinance and said it has met all the requisites stipulated under the existing guidelines.

“The committee on laws did not require that the barangay concerned be consulted as it was ably represented by the ABC (Association of Barangay Councils) president who sits in the SP (Sangguniang Panlungsod) which presupposes that the barangay concerned was duly informed,” said Cuenco.

He also said the ordinance was not rushed into passage since it took more than six months of deliberation before it was passed on mass motion by City Council.

But Cuenco understood the sentiments of the barangay.

“I will adopt an open mind in case one of my colleagues will sponsor a new ordinance repealing mine. I believe that someone else should file it because I was the author and sponsor of the assailed ordinance,” he said. 

(SOURCE OF STORY: SunStar Cebu) https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/duljo-fatima-brgy-council-dont-rename-spoliarium-st  PHOTO CREDITS: You Tube; Google Map 

Davao City barangay execs facing complaint over 'stolen ayuda' 

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday assisted a Davao City resident in filing criminal and administrative charges against two barangay officials for allegedly stealing a portion of her cash assistance. 

DSWD Field Office-11 Regional Director Vanessa Goc-ong and Anne Villarin jointly executed a complaint affidavit before the local Office of the Ombudsman in the Davao Region. 

The DSWD said that the chief of Barangay Sinawilan and a barangay kagawad admitted in an interview with Brigada News FM Davao that P8,500 was deducted from the P10,000 cash aid to Villarin.   Read more at:                                               https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/910112/barangay-execs-facing-complaint-over-stolen-ayuda-in-davao-city/story/?utm_source=ground.news&utm_medium=referral

Makati City barangay chair suspended 

The Makati City Council has unanimously passed a resolution suspending for 12 months Barangay Magallanes Chair Jose Mari A. Alzona for abusing his authority when he withheld the salaries of two barangay workers without due process.

In City Resolution No. 2024-048, the council suspended Alzona for improperly withholding the salaries of administrative aides Sarah Jane M. Cama and Robert P. Sunga without proper notice and without seeking an explanation for absences.

The two cases were consolidated and the council’s Committee on Laws, Rules, and Ethics held a hearing where evidence was submitted and testimonies were heard from the two complainants and the respondent.  

 Read more at: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1951945/makati-suspends-barangay-magallanes-chair#ixzz8dIRADDhz

26 out of 30 Pasig City barangays now drug-cleared

The local government of Pasig City on Saturday announced that at least 86.67 percent of barangays in the city are already considered drug-cleared with the involvement of the Eastern Police Distict (EPD).

In a statement, EPD director Police Brigadier General Wilson Asueta said that as of recently, 26 out of 30 barangays in Pasig have been declared drug-cleared by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“We anticipate the remaining four barangays to achieve drug-cleared status sometime this month,” Asueta said in an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE.                               Read more at: https://tribune.net.ph/2024/06/15/over-80-pasig-barangays-drug-cleared 

Kalinga barangays urged to boost community job opportunities with PESO program

Tabuk City, Kalinga – The Public Employment and Services Office (PESO) conducted a consultation workshop with barangay officials on June 6, 2024, regarding the integration of employment-related projects, activities, and programs (PPAs) into their Annual Investment Program (AIP).

The AIP is the yearly portion of the Local Development Investment Plan. It includes all the resources needed for the PPAs of the local government, covering both capital expenses and regular operating costs.

Baldo Garnace Jr. from the CPDO discussed the basics of barangay development planning. He said that it serves as a basis for higher local development councils to integrate barangay priority projects.                                                   Read more: https://baguioheraldexpressonline.com/peso-urges-blgus-to-prioritize-employment-related-programs/

FEATURE STORY: Waste recovery program launched in Metro Manila barangays

A waste recovery and recycling campaign has been launched across the metropolis through the partnership between Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI), the local bottler of the global beverage brand, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

This partnership merges CCBPI’s “Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo! Program” with MMDA’s Mobile Material Recovery Facility (MMRF) project, dubbed “Recyclable Mo, Palit Grocery Ko.”

During a four-month pilot period, community members can exchange various recyclable materials for commodities or grocery items.

MMDA’s MMRF program now serves as a collection channel for used clear PET bottles of any brand, as well as Coca-Cola returnable glass bottles and crates, which are equivalent to points that participants can exchange for Coca-Cola products.

Bringing communities together to foster strong collective action, the partnership is also launching the Tapon to Ipon: Barangay Contest in over 20 pilot areas.

This contest will recognize the top three barangays that collect the highest volume of clear PET bottles, Coca-Cola glass bottles, and crates. The winning barangays will receive prizes to fund and develop their sustainability initiatives, with a focus on waste recovery and recycling.

“Our partnership with MMDA enables us to reach more barangays and households, as our ultimate goal is to leave a lasting positive impact on the solid waste management systems currently available to communities,” said lawyer Juan Lorenzo Tañada, vice president for corporate and regulatory affairs of CCBPI.

“This collaboration is a first for CCBPI, and we are truly grateful and excited to be working with MMDA, with whom we share common goals for sustainability, proper waste management, and creating a circular economy,” Tañada said. (Source of story: Daily Tribune)

PHOTO CREDIT: MMDA/Fb 

Palawan Liga ng mga Barangay President proposed holding session on Pag Asa Island on Independence Day

The President of the Provincial Chapter of the Liga ng mga Barangay and who is also an ex-officio Member of the Palawan Provincial Board proposed recently to hold the Board's regular session on Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 

Provincial Liga President and Board member Ferdinand Zaballa said that the proposal is to coincide with the June 12 Philippine Independence Day celebrations. 

Zaballa said their holding of a session in Pag Asa is intended to underscore the country’s sovereignty over the maritime territory that China has been aggressively claiming as its own.

Zaballa proposed that they hold their session jointly with the Sangguniang Bayan of Kalayaan on June 12.

“Pwede tayong magkaroon ng joint session with the SB of Kalayaan, kami naman sa Liga ng mga Barangay, magkakaroon din kami ng activity,” Zaballa said in a privilege speech.

“What a better way to embolden our activity as a bold statement of our territorial integrity na gawin natin ang celebration sa WPS sa Araw ng Kalayaan — Araw ng Kalayaan sa Munisipyo ng Kalayaan,” he said.

Zaballa urged the secretariat of the Sanggunian to make arrangements for their travel to Pag-asa Island. He added that with the intricacies of the travel going to Pag-asa Island, they could request for assistance from the Western Command.

Board Member Ryan Maminta, meanwhile, reminded that they need to coordinate with national government agencies, particularly the National Task Force on West Philippine Sea.

Aligning himself with Zaballa’s proposal, Maminta said they need to go through proper channels.

“Right now, there are policies that the national government has implemented that we need to adhere to for us to be able to do what we want and bring everyone on the same boat before we arrive at a decision to go there,” he said.

To facilitate the plans smoothly, he proposed to create a special committee to be composed of Board Members and a representative from the governor’s office “to have a politico-legal effect in our travel and to conduct activities in Kalayaan Island.”

Board Member Winston Arzaga recalled that he had proposed the same plan in the past but it did not materialize.

“But during those days, that proposal did not get enough traction. So hopefully, this would be done (this time),” Arzaga said.

He also agreed with Maminta’s proposal to create a small committee to facilitate the proposal.

“This is not a small matter because it has security implications. Close coordination with Wescom is necessary so early preparations should be made,” he said, adding that going to Pag-asa Island bringing a large contingent is “not a picnic”

“The entire world is watching and perhaps it is the best time to be serious and come out with a very good resolution while we are there. So if we gather enough quorum, that will be very historical because for the first time, the Provincial Board will be exercising its legislative authority right there where the action is,” he explained.

Zaballa said that aside from the proposed visit to Pag-asa Island, the Liga ng mga Barangay also has lined up a series of activities regarding the issue of WPS. He said for their scheduled gathering on June 17, they have invited experts to discuss issues and concerns on WPS.

On top of the list of invitees is former Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio.

“May representative galing sa Zambales who is my colleague sa Liga ng mga Barangay na ganito rin yung kanyang mga isinusulong,” he said.

Moreover, he said they will also be conducting information and education campaigns to further raise the awareness of the youth.

“We also have programs to make a bold statement na itong ipinaglalaban natin na WPS ay hindi makalimutan (ng mga kabataan). Kung napapansin natin, alam nila ang WPS pero ano ba talaga ang ipinaglalaban natin?” he said.

Board Member Rafael Ortega Jr. also said there have been moves to encourage the youth through the Sangguniang Kabataan for information campaign.

“Sa bayan ng Aborlan, yung ating mga SK ay isinama natin na hindi lang puro basketball o palaro ang adbokasiya, bagkus ay yung pagbibigay ng impormasyon at kaalaman tungkol sa issue ng WPS sa ating mga kabataan,” he said.

“Hiniling na rin natin sa DepEd at CHED na isama sa curriculum ang pagtuturo sa mga estudyante tungkol sa issue ng WPS upang mas maintindihan nila kung ano ang kahalagahan at present situation sa WPS,” he added. Text and Photos: Palawan News.