DILG-NCR Trains Barangay Leaders to Strengthen Community Resilience

The Department of the Interior and Local Government–National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) launched the first batch of the BRAVE Resilience Cohort Program for Punong Barangays on October 12–13, 2026. The two-day program brought together barangay captains, barangay councilors, and other key representatives from selected barangays in Marikina, Pasig, and Quezon City.

First introduced in 2024 to help communities prepare for “The Big One,” the program now focuses on strengthening the leadership skills of the officials responsible for disaster preparedness.

Under the theme “Navigating the Me to We Journey in Barangay Governance,” the program encouraged barangay leaders to move away from a kanya-kanya (every person for themselves) mindset and embrace a sama-sama (working together) approach. It emphasized that disaster preparedness is most effective when officials and residents work as one community.

Subject matter experts Carmen Leonor I. Diokno, Anna Louisa E. Cortez, and Edwina A. Busteneyra led a session on the “Me to We” approach to barangay governance. The activities encouraged participants to examine their own leadership habits before learning how to build stronger teamwork and more inclusive communities.

Through practical exercises, the participants explored the difference between a growth mindset and a fixed mindset. They also learned how to turn differing opinions into opportunities for cooperation and create safe spaces where officials and residents can speak openly and constructively.

Using the Why-What-How framework, the participants connected their personal reasons for entering public service with a broader commitment to compassionate governance. The session stressed that effective public service requires not only hard work but also genuine concern for people.

The training also highlighted four core values:

• maTatag (resilient): Taking responsibility instead of making excuses.

• maLingap (caring): Listening carefully rather than making assumptions.

• Handa (prepared): Turning fear into clear and focused action.

• maAgap (proactive): Anticipating problems instead of simply reacting to them.

Rather than relying on lectures alone, the first day used games, paired listening exercises, and storytelling to encourage participation. It ended with a Sama-Sama Circle, where participants shared their key lessons and reflections.

Day 2: From Leadership to Disaster Preparedness

The second day focused on practical disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies that barangays can apply in their communities.

LGOO III Elgreco B. Flores of the Local Government Capability Development Division–Capacity Development and Technical Assistance Section (LGCDD-CDTAS) led the morning review and discussion of lessons from the first day.

Richard L. Ybañez, chief science research specialist of the UP Resilience Institute, then delivered a refresher session on the fundamentals of resilience at the barangay and community levels.

Participants also joined a workshop titled “Tindig Barangay: Sharing Community Resilience Best Practices,” facilitated by Flores. During the workshop, barangay officials shared actual strategies their communities had used to prepare for and withstand crises.

The exchange allowed participants to learn from one another, compare local practices, and identify approaches they could adapt to improve their own disaster preparedness efforts.

In the afternoon, Dennis R. de Paz, assistant division chief of the LGCDD, conducted a refresher session on the Operation Listo manuals and Operation Listo si KAP. The session connected the leadership and teamwork lessons from the first day with practical disaster preparedness procedures that barangays can use.

Building Stronger, More Prepared Communities

By combining leadership development with practical disaster preparedness training, the BRAVE Resilience Cohort Program aims to build a stronger culture of responsibility, cooperation, and care among barangay officials.

As Metro Manila continues to face climate-related hazards and the threat of major earthquakes, barangay leaders play a vital role in preparing their communities for emergencies.

The program underscores an important lesson: effective disaster preparedness requires more than plans and procedures. It also depends on leaders who listen, take responsibility, look ahead, and unite residents toward a common goal.

When barangay officials and their communities work together, they are better prepared not only to face disasters but also to recover and emerge stronger.(Story and photo source: DILG-NCR)

PNP to Help Train Barangay Tanods for School Security Duties

 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has directed its police chiefs and unit commanders to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) on possible training programs for barangay tanods who will help improve security in schools and other learning facilities.

PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said the training aims to prepare barangay tanods for their expanded security duties following an agreement between the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Nartatez welcomed the agreement signed by Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla and Education Secretary Sonny Angara. He said the partnership would strengthen security in and around schools, in line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s directive.

“School safety begins at the barangay level. We in the PNP would like to ensure that our barangay tanods are ready to perform their tasks by providing them with proper training in coordination with the local government units,” Nartatez said.

The proposed PNP training would cover patrol procedures and other security-related duties. It would also include relevant laws to help tanods understand the limits of their authority and avoid legal problems while carrying out their responsibilities.

Under the DILG-DepEd agreement, barangay tanods may be assigned to public and private schools, other educational institutions, and DepEd-supervised Community Learning Centers to support existing security personnel.

Schools may also seek assistance from their LGUs during security incidents. These arrangements aim to protect people from immediate danger, secure affected areas, and ensure that incidents are reported to school officials or law enforcement authorities.

The agreement also allows barangay tanods to conduct authorized inspections of bags, personal belongings, and vehicles at designated school entrances. If full-body electronic scanners are unavailable, bag checks and entry inspections must follow authorized non-contact procedures, the PNP said.

Nartatez stressed that involving barangay tanods in school security would help police monitor school surroundings and address potential threats before they become more serious.

Their presence could also help identify suspicious activities and relay important information to authorities, allowing police and other emergency responders to act quickly.

“Barangay tanods will act as community force multipliers to ensure that no threat will disrupt the security situation around our schools. They will boost our patrols within school perimeters and nearby areas, as well as enhance coordination among officials, especially when threats arise,” Nartatez said. (Story source: Manila Bulletin. Photo: PNP)

DILG, DepEd Team Up with 42,000 Barangays to Make Schools Safer

 

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Education (DepEd) have joined forces to strengthen security in schools nationwide, enlisting the country’s 42,000 barangays to help protect students and teachers.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Education Secretary Sonny Angara signed a Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) on Wednesday at Bangkal National High School in Makati City. The agreement calls for closer coordination among local governments, barangays, school officials, and law enforcement agencies.

The initiative comes amid growing concern over school safety following three recent shooting incidents. Remulla stressed that protecting students and teachers requires everyone’s cooperation, especially as parents become increasingly worried about their children’s safety.

“Hindi ko po pinapangako ang perpektong programa, pero ang pinapangako ko na magkakasama kaming lahat para maibsan ang problemang ito,” Remulla said, emphasizing that the government cannot solve the problem alone but will work together to address it.

He also pointed out how parents’ attitudes toward school safety have changed. While children once commonly walked to school on their own, many parents now accompany them because of safety concerns.

Remulla also warned about the dangers children may encounter online, including grooming and exposure to harmful websites that could influence their behavior and decisions.

Barangay tanods to help secure schools

Under the agreement, barangay tanods may be assigned to public and private schools, other educational institutions, and DepEd-supervised Community Learning Centers to support existing security personnel.

Schools may also work with their respective local government units (LGUs) and request assistance during security incidents. Responders can help protect people from immediate danger, secure affected areas, and report incidents to school authorities or law enforcement.

At designated school entrances, barangay tanods may conduct authorized inspections of bags, personal belongings, and vehicles. Where full-body electronic scanners are unavailable, bag checks and entry inspections must use authorized non-contact methods.

To help put the agreement into action, the DILG will provide technical assistance to LGUs, while DepEd will offer policy guidance and training support to schools division offices.

Angara welcomed the partnership, saying the participation of barangays would strengthen security in schools.

“Maraming salamat sa DILG at napakabilis ng aksiyon. Biruin mo 42,000 barangays ng DILG ang magmobilize para sa ating DepEd schools. We look forward to keeping our schools safer,” he said.

A shared commitment to safer learning

During the signing ceremony, Remulla, Angara, and members of the media also signed the Panata para sa Mas Ligtas na Paaralan. Through this pledge, they committed to promoting safer, healthier, and more peaceful learning environments free from bullying, violence, discrimination, and abuse.

The event also included a demonstration of Unified 911 back-office operations responding to a simulated school shooting at Cembo Elementary School. Teachers and students also took part in a classroom drill demonstrating how to respond to such emergencies.

DILG officials, DepEd personnel, teachers, barangay tanods, emergency call center agents, police officers, firefighters, and other emergency responders attended the activity.

Through this partnership, schools are expected to strengthen their coordination with barangays, local governments, and emergency responders. The goal is to create safer learning environments where students can concentrate on their studies and parents can feel more confident about sending their children to school. (Source of story and photo: DILG)

 

Gingoog City to Pay SSS Contributions of 654 Barangay Workers

 

The city government of Gingoog has partnered with the Social Security System (SSS) to provide social security coverage to 654 barangay workers by paying their monthly contributions of ₱760 each.

Under a memorandum of agreement signed through the SSS Contribution Subsidy Provider Program (CSPP), Gingoog became the first local government in Northern Mindanao to subsidize SSS contributions under the program.

The beneficiaries include barangay health workers (BHWs), barangay nutrition scholars (BNSs), and child development workers (CDWs), who provide essential services to their communities, often without regular salaries.

SSS Mindanao North Division Vice President Benigno J. Dagani Jr. said the partnership gives community frontliners a financial safety net while recognizing their important role in serving residents.

SSS Mindanao Operations Group Senior Vice President Lilani B. Benedian also thanked Mayor Erick Cañosa’s administration for supporting efforts to expand social security protection among Filipino workers.

Cañosa said the initiative recognizes the sacrifices of barangay workers and helps protect them against financial difficulties caused by sickness, disability, old age, and other unexpected circumstances.

He added that the city hopes to help beneficiaries qualify for SSS benefits, including a monthly retirement pension, subject to eligibility requirements.

Through the CSPP, private companies, government agencies, and nongovernment organizations can shoulder the SSS contributions of eligible workers, including job order employees, self-employed individuals, land-based overseas Filipino workers, and voluntary members with irregular incomes.

Qualified members may receive sickness, maternity, disability, retirement, funeral, and death benefits. They may also access SSS member loans, subject to the agency’s rules and requirements.

The SSS said it would continue working with local governments and other partners to encourage more participation and extend social security protection to more Filipino workers. (Story and photo source: JAKA/PIA-10)

Dauin, Negros Oriental Names 20 Barangay Secretaries as Community Information Officers

 

Twenty barangay secretaries in Dauin, Negros Oriental, have taken their oath as barangay information officers, committing to help bring accurate and timely government information closer to residents.

They are now members of the Philippine Information Agency’s (PIA) Barangay Information Officers Network (BION) in Negros Oriental. PIA launched the province’s first BION in Bais City in June, making Dauin the second local government unit to establish the network.

The initiative aims to strengthen communication between the government and the public. Barangay information officers will serve as sources of reliable information about national and local government programs, services, projects, and priorities in their communities.

PIA Government Information Center Coordinator Jennifer Tilos emphasized the importance of communication in helping residents understand government policies and services. She said BION would also help combat fake news by making accurate information more accessible.

To prepare them for their new responsibilities, PIA will conduct a series of seminars to develop the officers into effective grassroots communication frontliners.

Dauin Public Information Officer Pearl Enriquez reminded the participants that information work complements their existing duties as barangay secretaries.

Mayor Galicano Truita appointed them to the role because they already know their communities and are familiar with the needs of residents who often turn to them for government assistance.

Enriquez welcomed Dauin’s participation in the initiative, noting that the town was the second local government unit in the province to join the network after Bais City.

Secretaries from 20 of Dauin’s 23 barangays attended the inaugural network assembly.

PIA selected Dauin because of its economic growth, contribution to the province’s tourism industry, and the visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Barangay Baslay. The agency said communicating these developments to residents can help sustain public trust in government.

As part of their orientation, the new information officers also received briefings from the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. on its YAKAP primary care program and GAMOT outpatient medicine program. They can share information about these health services with residents in their respective barangays. (Story source and photo credit: RAL/PIA-NIR Negros Oriental) 

28,415 Barangays in 60 Provinces Nationwide Declared Peaceful and Insurgency-Free

A total of 28,415 barangays in 60 provinces nationwide have been declared under Stable Internal Peace and Security (SIPS), according to the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC).

The task force said government programs in communities previously affected by armed conflict have helped reduce the influence of rebel groups in these areas.

Of the total, around 21,614 barangays are located in nine entire regions that have been declared under SIPS. The remaining 6,801 are in provinces that have achieved SIPS status within regions still working toward the same goal.

The NTF-ELCAC emphasized that the next challenge is to sustain peace through continued development and good governance in communities.

According to Rodrigo Lutao, NTF-ELCAC deputy director for operations, development projects in areas previously affected by armed conflict are an important part of maintaining peace.

Billions of Pesos for Barangay Development

As of September 29, the Barangay Development Program (BDP) had covered 5,638 formerly conflict-affected barangays, supported by a total of ₱44.90 billion in investments. An estimated 16.03 million Filipinos are benefiting from these projects.

Completed projects include:

• 955 classrooms
• 1,587.02 kilometers of farm-to-market roads
• 23,681 streetlights
• 1,169 water and sanitation systems
• 9,264 electrification projects
• 547 health and medical stations

This year, the government also allocated ₱8.08 billion for projects in 808 barangays declared cleared of insurgent influence. Planned projects include roads, schools, water systems, health stations, and electrification facilities.

Peace Accompanied by Development

According to Lutao, the growing number of barangays achieving SIPS status is closely linked to the government's expanding development programs.

These projects aim to ensure that as the influence of armed insurgency declines, residents gain better access to essential services, including roads, electricity, safe drinking water, education, healthcare, livelihood support, and economic opportunities.

The task force stressed that sustaining these gains will require the continued implementation of development programs and stronger democratic governance in communities. (Story source: Daily Tribune.)

Iloilo Resumes Barangay Funding, Crisis Assistance After BSKE Postponement

 

The Iloilo provincial government has resumed distributing financial assistance to barangays and individuals in need following the postponement of the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

The Bawat Barangay Makikinabang (BBM) Program resumed distributing checks on October 2 at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol. The second batch covered barangays in Guimbal, Igbaras, Miagao, Tubungan, Alimodian, and Zarraga.

Barangay officials may coordinate with their municipal Liga coordinators and Liga presidents to arrange the release of their assistance. Other barangays were also given schedules for the next distributions.

The funding is intended to support community development projects and local initiatives.

Meanwhile, the provincial government resumed its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program on September 29, according to Rani Melvi Cuarte, head of the Office of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (OPSWDO).

The government suspended AICS payouts on September 18 because of election-period restrictions on the release and spending of public funds. During the suspension, the OPSWDO continued accepting and processing applications so assistance could be released once the restrictions were lifted.

The resumption of both programs followed the signing of Republic Act No. 12326 by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 24. The law moved the BSKE, originally scheduled for November 2, 2026, to the second Monday of November 2028. It also allows incumbent barangay and SK officials to remain in office until their duly elected and qualified successors take over.

The earlier suspension was based on Comelec Resolution No. 11265 and relevant provisions of the Omnibus Election Code governing public spending during the election period, subject to applicable exemptions.

Other assistance programs affected by the restrictions included Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. (Story source and photo credit: PIA Iloilo.)