A New Mechanism to Spur Barangay Development

The governor of Bataan, Abet Garcia, said that barangays in his province need not spend a single centavo from their funds so that their 20% development funds for their operational expenses and other  projects remain intact. 

He said that the P4 mechanism that the province adopted is the answer to the perennial issue of limited funds although they can still ask help from other national agencies and officials despite competition with other provinces who also seek funding.

The coffee plantations of this not-so-remote barangay in Iloilo (Google Maps can't find it though) attracted interest of national investors.  Barangay Ongyod is just 18 kilometers away from the town proper of Miag-ao in Iloilo and can be reached by a 30-minute ride and then a 2 to 3-hour trek.  With the quality of its coffee as good as the famous Batangas brew, millions of pesos are finding their way from interested investors to the coffee plantations here.    

It looks like the numbers do not add up with the headcount of the police on drug-affected barangays in Western Visayas.  The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) reported that of the 2,389 barangays in Western Visayas, 1,944 or 57 percent are drug-affected.  “This is our latest record. These barangays are subject to clearing operations by the police,” said Superintendent Gilbert Gorero, PRO-6 spokesperson. Try doing a little math and see if your numbers tally with that of the Region 6 police report.   



Remote barangay in Dagupan picked as one of the pilot areas for VP Robredo's Angat Buhay Program.  Barangay Carael in Dagupan City was chosen as one of the pilot areas of the program in its aim of uplifting the lives of the poor, especially children and senior citizens in many rural areas of the country.  More than 300 private corporations and civic organizations throughout the country have already pledged support.

Barangays in Makati scene of "the-fast-and-the furious" car chase. Like an action sequence from a popular video game, a road chase triggered by a lady car driver cited for a parking violation damaged several vehicles, endangered the lives of pedestrians and caused standstill traffic at the Rockwell commercial area in Makati City on Friday afternoon. See video of the chase.

Cebu Barangay to benefit from P2.9 million spillway.  In many remote barangays of the country, mere construction of a bridge could mean a new lease of life to residents.  To many of them, it means access to markets to sell their produce, more educational opportunities, better health or even saving lives during emergencies.  A P2.9-million spillway was built in Barangay Kabalaasan in the Municipality of Dimanjug to make crossing the local river easier especially when its raining. "The 40-meter long and five-meter wide spillway is expected to ease the river crossing of residents of the barangay especially during the rainy season,” says Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III.

Big data analysis defeats dengue in Pangasinan barangay. In 2015, the province of Pangasinan struggled with rising cases of dengue fever.  In its first nine months alone, the reported cases of dengue infections here are of epidemic proportions. Data analyst Wilson Chua, who hails from the province but who now reside in Singapore,  while employing an analytical tool called "analytics", was able to accurately pinpoint the breeding ground.  It's Barangay Bonuan Boquig in Dagupan to be exact. Soon enough, the incidents of dengue went down to zero.  

Mayor's office in each barangay?  The Cebu City Council is questioning an executive order to create Barangay Mayor's office in every barangay in the city.  Under the executive order of Mayor Tomas Osmeña, the mayor's office in each barangay in the city is mandated to implement the giving of free medicines to qualified residents.  

Deactivated voters may apply for reactivation in the Barangay SK elections.  The law says that those who failed to vote in two consecutive national elections such as in 2013 and 2016 have resulted to the deactivation of their right to vote.  These voters however may vote again when they reactivate their registration records. 

P1 million in insurance claims paid to families of Negros Occidental barangay personnel. Almost P1 million in insurance claims was turned over by Gov. Alfredo Maranon Jr. to the surviving families of barangay tanods, officials and employees in the province who died in the service.  Ranging from P10,000 to P50,000 each check, the insurance premiums were paid for by the provincial government.

Incumbent barangay officials to stay in office until November 29, 2017. Unless replaced, the term of all current barangay officials will be extended until November 29, 2017 as prescribed by the bill that was signed into law last October 15, 2016.

When is a barangay child-labor free? The Provincial Field Office of the of the Department of Labor and Employment in Davao Del Norte recently held an orientation in Tagum City to barangay and purok officials on Child Labor Free and Domestic Helper or Kasambahay Law.  Deogracias Victor Sicam of DOLE said that for a barangay to be declared free from child labor, none of its resident below 15 years old shall be employed except for two cases. 

Our best wishes for a productive week.  Please send any interesting news or feedback about your barangay or barangays in your town, city or province to barangayreporter.blogspot.com   We'd be glad to publish them here.  You may also let us know what you think about any barangay issue discussed here in the comments section below.

Barangays Can Slow High Incidence of Birth Deaths

Empowered barangays have the potential to be at the forefront of preventing childbirth and maternal deaths in the country says Camarines Sur Representative LRay Villafuerte who filed a bill  seeking to implement a maternal and childcare program in every barangay covering the first 1,000 days of an infant’s development, from the womb up to two years of age.

Photo Credit:  bbc.com

He said that he was alarmed by the recent statement of Anthony Costello, director for maternal, children’s and adolescents’ health of the World Health Organization, that maternal and neonatal deaths were “underestimated” worldwide. 

According to the WHO, 303,000 women die during pregnancy and childbirth while 2.7 million babies die during the first 28 days of their life and another 2.6 million babies are stillborn every year.

               World Health Organization Manila Office     WHO File Photo

  

“The fact that neonatal deaths and still births are preventable with quality healthcare points to the urgency for government to establish maternal and child care facilities in every barangay in the country,” said the  lawmaker. 

“Social protection programs designed to improve access to affordable health care down to the barangay level and upgrade the skills of our labor force will attack poverty and make high growth felt by the overwhelming majority of Filipinos who are poor, he added.

The government must make sure that the country’s 42,035 barangays are empowered in preventing maternal and neonatal deaths as a means to provide social protection to the poor and most vulnerable families. (Source: Philippine Star)

  

  

Call To Action In The Barangays

By Manny Valdehuesa

Please be patient and read on. Then pass it on to your friends and neighbors and broadcast it through all media. So it will awaken the consciousness of educated people in the 42,000+ barangays of our republic.

Every Filipino lives in the barangay; we are part of the grassroots. But we have been surrendering its affairs to others; we let them dominate it. So it’s not surprising that local politics and economics are controlled by a few only; and most of them are opportunists or traditional politicians (trapos)—people with dubious motives, competence, or dedication to public service. And too many are corrupt. 

They misuse the community’s wealth. They buy the loyalty and support of people who don’t value their vote or who don’t pay taxes. They pamper those who don’t care about good governance as long as they get handouts and other favors. Do we care?

If we care, we would be seen in the barangay hall; we would attend barangay meetings; we would share ideas for local development; we would help identify problems and work out solutions. We would apply our knowledge, our technology, our expertise, even our finances to properly develop our barangay. We would also share ideas on how to expand its economy, how to fight local poverty, how to create jobs, how to provide livelihood for those in need.

If we care, we would see to it that the barangay’s revenues and budgets will yield maximum benefits for everyone. But do we really care?

For example, yesterday, Oct. 9, your Barangay Assembly—along with all barangays in our republic (42,000+ in all)—convened for the second time this year. One wonders how many bothered to attend the assembly. One wonders which barangays bothered to take up its community’s own agenda, not just the agenda dictated from above.

Unless we attend and take part in the proceedings, the assembly will proceed as before. It will be dominated by people who corner the votes of the poor neighborhoods and make trapos win elections. That’s how we end up governed by the same oligarchs and dynasties who dominate politics for their own ends, establishing illegitimate or corrupt governments on all levels.

If you’ve ever attended a Barangay Assembly, have you noted how the officials dominate and take advantage of the occasion? They deliver speeches and self-serving reports; but the actual Assembly members—the sovereign people—are treated as mere spectators. It is the people’s assembly but all the people can hope for is ask a question during an Open Forum at the tail-end of the program. Their so-called “public servants” do all the talking.

No one seems to know or appreciate what the Barangay Assembly is all about. No one recognizes it, let alone acknowledges it, as a gathering of constituents: the sovereign people, the bosses of the public servants, the voters who elect officials and establish government on all levels. Our Constitution refers to them as the people in whom state sovereignty resides and from whom all government authority emanates.

Participating in the proceedings of the Barangay Assembly is about the only occasion where Filipinos as sovereign citizens perform their governing role in the barangay’s direct democracy. It is a constituent assembly literally; but neither the officials nor the citizens seem to know this.

As a result, local governance has been dysfunctional ever since the law transformed the barangay in 1991 into a full-fledged government. During the 25 years since every community acquired its own set of powers, finances, facilities, and personnel—25 years since the citizenry became part of the barangay government, with the duty to supervise or oversee its operations, the people are still mere spectators in local governance! This is not autonomy; it is oligarchy!

Filipinos have never had the chance to do the governing. 

Their power has been arrogated by officials who treat them as spectators. They cannot oversee the government they created. They exercise no control over officials they install during the elections. Nor can they bring their ideas to the commons unless their “public servants” let them.

Worst of all, they cannot hold erring officials accountable, nor replace incompetent ones.

It is such a pity that Filipinos remain disempowered even during their Barangay Assembly. Individually, citizens are powerless. Their power lies in collective action: when they hold a formal session, which is what the Barangay Assembly is. Only during its session can motions or proposals be deliberated and acted on; that is to say, decisions are made collegially, which then assume the force of law or consensus agreements. This is because the Barangay Assembly is a legislative governing body—or a parliament except in name.

Only when it is in session can members of this local parliament perform their sovereign role. Thus, they ought to be its main participants and discussants, not the officials. It is their Assembly, not their officials’. They ought to be on center stage—with the chairman presiding but not dominating or manipulating the proceedings.

Unfortunately, the people’s governing role in the community is little understood, let alone appreciated. Their Barangay Assembly is literally a Constituent Assembly. But because the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991 (R.A. 7160) were never taken up in every community, Filipinos remain uninformed and unempowered to this day.

Let this be a call on the educated or elite sector of barangays (the so-called A & B crowd, and the professionals, the role models) to participate. Otherwise governance at grassroots level will remain dysfunctional, controlled by the usual gang of trapos!

Right-thinking Filipinos should take back the power and start performing their governing role. Carpe’ diem! (Mindanao Goldstar Daily)

About the Author:  Manny Valdehuesa is the chairman and national convenor of the Gising Barangay Movement Inc. 

Proposed Coal Plant in Cebu Barangay Opposed by Climate Groups

 

Lawyer Aaron Pedrosa (left), head of Energy Working Group of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ); Oxilium “Inday” Olayer of MCG; and Teodorico Navea of Sanlakas Cebu make the stop sign with their coal-ash-covered hands to dramatize their protest against the proposed coal power plant in Barangay Sawang Calero. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Two groups are opposing the proposed coal-fired thermal power plant in Barangay Sawang Calero, Cebu City,  saying it will be detrimental to public health and the environment.

Teodorico Navea, secretary general of Sanlakas Cebu, said they will hold a protest rally in front of the Cebu City Hall on Wednesday while the council conducts a public hearing on the proposal.

Sanlakas and the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) Energy Working Group held a press conference yesterday to express their objections.

Ludo Corp., with partners Marubeni Corporation and Tokyo Electric Power Company, plans to build two 150-megawatt coal-fired generating units in Sawang Calero. The Department of Energy issued in December last year a clearance for a grid impact study for the project.

Navea said they will bring a coffin outside the City Hall tomorrow to symbolize death caused by the pollution generated by coal plants.

“The residents have been first informed about the jobs and other opportunities that they will get, but they have no idea what risk they could get,” Navea said.

He said there have been 960 deaths recorded with the existing 21 coal plants. If the proposed 20 coal plants will be approved, then at least 2,410 deaths may be expected, he added.

“The effects of these (coal plants) can be cancer, heart problems, ischemic, respiratory illnesses and infections,” added Aaron Pedrosa, PMCJ Energy Working Group head.

He noted that the city council passed a resolution three years ago supporting the call to impose a moratorium on the establishment of carbon-intensive and fossil-based technologies to meet the country’s power requirements such as coal plants in favor of transitioning to renewable energy options. (Cebu Daily News)

The Barangay Assembly, What is it For?

Twice a year during the months of March and October, the law requires that a gathering of citizens led by barangay officials be held in every barangay throughout the country.

Under the Local Government Code, barangay assembly members shall consist of persons who are residing in a barangay for at least six months, aged 15 years and above and Filipino citizens.

The conduct of the assembly is supposed to start with the delivery by the Punong Barangay of the State of Barangay Address or SOBA to report on the accomplishments of the barangay leadership for the second half of 2015; give updates on ongoing projects and programs; present financial reports including the monthly collections and disbursements as well as the barangay’s income and expenditure statements.

Other financial matters to be discussed are the barangay budget and the annual procurement plan.

For this year, to be given priority are the discussions on how the barangay can revitalize its campaign against drug abuse, the required registration of Kasambahays by employers, priority projects to be funded by the Barangay Bottom-up Budgeting or BBuB and the involvement of church-based organizations in monitoring projects and programs.  

Other issues or concerns affecting the barangay shall also be discussed such as disaster preparedness and solid waste management.  Barangay council members or kagawads who chair committees may report and give updates on their programs or projects being implemented in the barangay.

To draw bigger participation among residents, activities such as medical missions, cultural presentations or even tiangges may be held near or within the assembly area.  

To create awareness for the barangay assembly, posters and banners may be posted in highly visible areas such as the barangay hall, plaza, transport terminals, sari-sari stores, public market or talipapa. (Philippine Information Agency).

Continuity of Barangay Operations Sought

Every time a new barangay chairman is elected, a new set of barangay secretary and treasurer is appointed.  This usually results to disorganization of records as well as finances of the barangay. 

In some instances, the staff of losing barangay officials even sabotage barangay records as a form of retaliation to the new set of officials or to hide anomalies committed.

Such a situation unduly compromises the efficiency, effectiveness and continuity of operations of the government unit closest to the people.

A bill seeking to provide security of tenure to barangay secretary and treasurer to ensure continuous and reliable public service at the barangay level has been filed at the House of Representatives.

Palawan Rep. Frederick Abueg filed House Bill 5287 to amend Republic Act 7160 or the “Local Government Code” to make the barangay secretary and the barangay treasurer regular plantilla positions.

“Aside from entitling these barangay officials the benefits accorded to permanent government employees, they will also be provided security of tenure and restrict their removal from office unless for a just cause,” he said.

The bill is now under consideration by the House Committee on Local Government.

“There is no doubt that the Barangay Secretary and Barangay Treasurer are burdened by the bulk of administrative work on their shoulders. Yet, their compensation in the form of honoraria is inadequate for the gravity of work they perform,” Abueg said.

A barangay secretary is in charge of keeping the barangay records, preparing necessary documents and agenda of the meetings, and taking down the minutes of meetings, while a barangay treasurer is responsible for collecting and issuing official receipts for taxes or payments accruing to the barangay treasury, disbursing of funds in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law.

He or she also  provides an inventory of all barangay assets under his/her custody and other duties as may be prescribed by law or ordinance. (Manila Bulletin)

Why Empower The Barangay

The barangay is the smallest unit and the most visible arm of the government. Almost all people are impacted by the acts and work of the barangay. From simple traffic altercations, public order and safety, sanitation, health and others, the barangay is the first tier of government directly impacting

our lives.

A Barangay Development Council Meeting

Barangays are unique because they are truly a Filipino concept of community. It is how our communities are structured and how we live our respective communities. In some cases, the barangays are truly the conduit of the ordinary Filipino to the powers may be. But sadly, the true value of barangays have been neglected for the longest time.

The thirst for better and more empowered barangays have been a pipe dream for so long. There have been attempts to bring the issues and problems of the barangays to the halls of Congress via the party-list system, but nothing has really been concrete, that is, until now.

It is the Punong Barangay that is on top of the situation where the Mayor may not be available. The Punong Barangay comes in to trouble shoot and often works tirelessly with little to almost no compensation. But still, they engage in something that is worth their time because it is something the community involved with.

We have to admit, the barangay is the purest form of local governance for some people especially in far-flung areas. In some cases, people can meet their mayors or other local government officials during campaign sorties. They may not see these folks anytime soon until elections come around. But people directly transact and get involved with barangay officials in matters affecting the community.

Looking at it on the looking glass, the barangay may appear small, but taken as a whole it can create ripples. And even those in imperial Manila can’t match the value and impact barangays can make to the lives of ordinary people. For some, big-time politics are but passing fancy, but the need for healthcare, security and peace and order plus other concerns are more important. Some people especially in the hinterlands rely on the barangays to nurture and provide the needs.

However, providing needs can be quite a challenge for those who are leading the barangays.

Sadly, the most direct contact of the masses to government is severely underfunded and unappreciated. To think, the tireless officials don’t get any remuneration, but honoraria. These people work, at times, round the clock to settle disputes and filling in the needs of the people in times of crisis or calamities.

Now, the game is changing. The government has started to see how the barangay can become a great catalyst not just in powering the local government, but to power the entire country as well.

With the extension of the barangay officials’ term as the next elections has been re-scheduled to two years from now, we can see a continuation of programs for the community. This means better elbow room for good barangay officials and too long for wait for the bad ones.

The introduction of the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) can be a huge thing for cash-strapped barangays. In fact, 40 percent of the 42,000 barangays or more in the country receives less than a million pesos in Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA).

With less money to spend and most of which is for personnel services, barangays are virtually ineffective in funding worthwhile projects that can surely create a huge impact to the community.

The BUB changes the game forever, since it is opening an opportunity for barangay leaders to pinpoint and choose the critical projects that can be of great use and benefit to the community.

With the BUB in tow, a lot of things are about to change that will augur well for the development and a better time for all Filipinos regardless where they live. It is a way to deflect some funds to the remotest barangays in the hope of expanding the growth of the country outwards and not just get stuck in imperial Manila.

We can’t help but to be awed and excited what the new innovations can bring. Truly this is both a magical and a challenging time for everyone working in the barangay. The barangay is the level of the government that truly has a genuine impact in the lives of people. It is high time to empower the barangay and make it a truly significant segment of the government nurturing the interests of the Filipino wherever he may be. (Bohol Tribune)