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)