Tanods included in Duterte's plan to arm barangay officials

By Jigger Jerusalem, Julie Alipala 

A day after he was cheered by barangay captains in Cagayan de Oro when he brought up the idea of giving them handguns, President Duterte told a gathering here that he was consulting with Cabinet officials to arm the 1,049  newly elected barangay officials and their respective tanods here.

But Duterte said he would not issue high powered firearms, but only shotguns for village officials and caliber 22 or Beretta for barangay tanods, preferably those who had undergone training in ROTC; and retired military and police officials.
“Pag aralan muna namin sa (We are still studying it with the) cabinet.  I will consult (the cabinet) halos mga military man sila tanan (Most of them are military men. My proposal) is, no heavy firearm, just shotgun,” Duterte said.

He said he was aware that barangay officials were hesitant to confront criminals.  “I know you are afraid because you have no weapon, now that I give you weapon, you can fight,” Duterte said.
Don’t underestimate the power of a shotgun, he said. “Will you live if you’re hit by a shotgun? Just look at those who were hit.”
For barangay tanods or village security forces, Duterte said Beretta or caliber 22 would be enough to fight criminality.
“I am telling you as a trial lawyer handling homicide cases, once your liver or bladder or pancreas get hit by a 22, you only have 30 minutes to live, that’s true,” Duterte said. The more bullets hitting the body, the deadlier, he added.
In Cagayan de Oro City on Monday, Duterte was greeted by cheers when he asked a gathering of barangay captains if they wanted a handgun.
“I don’t know if the police and the military will agree, gusto ninyo ng handgun (do you want a handgun)?” the President asked to the loud clapping and cheering from barangay captains.  “Gusto jud mopatay ning mga buang (They really want to kill),” the President said, which was met by an even louder shouting.  “If you carry these things, be sure that you are doing it legally. I will conduct seminars,” he said.  “.22 (caliber pistols) will do, you don’t need a powerful firearm, because an M14 is too dangerous, once it fires, many people might get hit.”

(Reposted from Inquirer.net. Original Title: Duterte eyes arming barangay captains  Photo credit: Presidential Communications Operations Office.

Outgoing Iloilo barangay officials turn over barangay assets

 

TURNOVER OF DOCUMENTS. Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III (left) and members of the Iloilo City Audit Transition Team  witness the signing of the turnover of documents from outgoing to incoming barangay officials of Jaro district on Tuesday (June 26, 2018). (Photo by Perla Lena) 

By Perla Lena

The turnover of Barangay Properties, Financial Records and Documents  from outgoing to incoming barangay officials in this city started on Tuesday.

Spearheaded by the Iloilo City Audit Transition Team (ICATT), the turnover is in compliance with Circular No. 2018-12 of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Initially, 28 of the 42 barangays in Jaro district have complied with the submission of documents. The turnover to cover the remaining barangays from the city’s six other districts will be until Friday at the Diamond Jubilee Hall.

“Out of 180 barangays, almost half of which have passed their documents already and are scheduled for ceremonial turn over. That is why, we are calling all barangays officials to submit your documents at the City Accountant’s Office for checking and finalization,” said Iloilo City Accountant IV Margaret Malban.

Circular No. 2018-12 mandated the creation of an inventory team as early as February this year.
It was issued to ensure the systematic transition from the outgoing barangay officials to the incoming newly elected or re-elected barangay officials who will assume their office on June 30.

Also, it aimed to sustain transparent and accountable local governance at the barangay level and make sure that all concerned barangay officials exercise due diligence as regards to proper use, care, utilization and safekeeping of all government properties, barangay funds, financial records and documents.

Iloilo City DILG Director Atty. Ferdinand Panes warned that barangay officials who could not submit their documents will not be issued clearances and will be facing sanctions.

The documents submitted by the outgoing barangay officials will be submitted to City DILG to be forwarded to the department’s central office to monitor the compliance of outgoing barangay officials, said Panes.

The Office of the Ombudsman and the Commission on Audit are also furnished copies.
“The documents are being monitored strictly by no less than our Secretary, and our Undersecretary Martin Diño. The memorandum circular provides penal sanctions that is why these outgoing barangay officials cannot go away with liability, either they will go to jail or held liable civilly,” said Panes.

ICATT is headed by City Accountant’s Office and is composed of DILG-Iloilo City, Liga ng mga Barangay, representatives from City Internal Audit and Services Office, City Budget Office, City General Services Office, City Planning and Development Office, and Barangay Secretariat.

(Reposted from Philippine News Agency. Original title: Turnover of documents for incoming barangay officials starts)

Laguna barangay leaders partners in progress - Gov Hernandez

Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez recently led the oath-taking of Nagcarlan’s 416 new barangay officials.
The Laguna politiko was joined by Nagcarlan Mayor Nelson Osuna during the event.
 
Hernandez reminded the barangay officials that they are partners of the government in providing solutions to the community.


He also said barangays serve as the frontliners in providing services to the public.


“Ang mga opisyal ng barangay ang katuwang natin sa pagtupad ng programa kasama na rin dito ang pagresolba ng mga isyu sa pamayanan. Katuwang din natin sila sa kaunlaran dahil kahit na ito ang pinakamaliit na yunit ay dito naman natutupad at naibibigay ang mga programang nagmumula sa pamahalaan,” (barangay officials are our partners in implementing programs which includes resolving issues in the communities.  They also help us in development because it is in the barangays where the programs of the government are being delivered and realized) Hernandez said.

 (Reposted from Politiko South Luzon. Original title: Gov. Hernandez leads oath-taking of 416 barangay officials in Nagcarlan  Photo credit: Facebook.com/GovRamil ) 

Digong to barangay captains: protect your constituents from "tambays"

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech in front of around 2,000 newly-elected barangay chairpersons in Northern Mindanao region after they took their oath before the President during a ceremony held at the Atrium Convention Center in Cagayan de Oro City on June 25, 2018. ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, June 25, urged the country’s village chiefs to join the administration in its campaign to eliminate street crimes and maintain peace and order.


The Chief Executive made the appeal during the mass oath-taking of newly-elected barangay officials of Region X held at The Atrium at Limketkai Center here.

Speaking to the new barangay leaders, President Duterte said they should protect the welfare of their constituents in fulfillment of their duty specifically from the dangers posed by “tambays” or street loiterers.

Citing a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, the President said Filipino families have become victims of street crimes including theft and robbery, carnapping, sexual harassment, and physical violence, among others.

“Fear of burglary, fear of unsafe streets and presence of drug addicts, ‘yan talaga ang takot ng mga tao dito,” he said.

He noted that as village chiefs, it is their duty to protect the welfare of the public saying that the local government is mandated to enforce existing national laws.

“Kayong mga barangay captains, do what is your duty. You are more than just a policeman because you are mayors. You are the governor and the president of your barangay,” Duterte said.

“You have to protect the people, kayong mga barangay captains, and you must see to it that the nation is preserved,” he added.

The President, however, warned that if records still show high crime rates and drug-related incidents in their respective barangays, the chieftains would be charged with neglect of duty.

“And the next time is gross neglect and I will simply, upon the recommendation — upon investigation, recommendation of General Año, if he says that you should go, I will dismiss you,” said Duterte.

Duterte, meanwhile, vowed to protect local chief executives as long as they fulfill their mandate to the public, assuring them of their safety and his full support.

Frisking of loiterers
In the same speech, President Duterte said his order was to have loiterers frisked and not arrested, explaining that minors caught loitering would be merely taken under the custody of the social welfare department for their protection and not for arrest.

Duterte stressed that under the law, the frisking of loiterers and taking into custody of minors are legal unless the Supreme Court declares otherwise.

He added that invoking police power of the state to establish order and safety is not subject to legislation.

“We call them istambay. That’s the word. That is my order. And you continue to frisk people who are there doon sa dalan (streets) and that is legal. Until such time, that is my order,” he said.

“The President can order, the mayor can order, the barangay can order — can issue regulations to protect public health, public safety, public order, and to protect the general welfare of the people,” he added.

(Reposted from Presidential Communications Operations office News Release. Original title: President Duterte enjoins new barangay execs to support his campaign to suppress crimes)
 

Bacolod barangay officials urged to help in city development

By Nanette Guadalquiver

Top officials of this city vowed to work closely with the new set of barangay officials to propel Bacolod towards further development.

This was the commitment of Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, Mayor Evelio Leonardia, and Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran to the officials of the city’s 61 barangays, who were inducted into office by Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino in a ceremony held at the SMX Convention Center here on Saturday afternoon.

Gasataya urged them to partner with the city's officials to uphold better governance and bring more progress for Bacolod.

“Let’s focus on the direction you committed to your respective barangays. That commitment is to serve the welfare of your constituents. Let’s set aside politics,” Gasataya said. “We are willing to work hand in hand with your barangays for Bacolod City’s sake.”

Gasataya said village officials are blessed with elective positions that a lot could only aspire for.
“We are hoping that after you assume office on June 30, we will have better governance not just in the national government, in the city, but also in your barangays,” the lawmaker added.

Leonardia said Bacolod could only achieve an inclusive growth when the city government has the support and participation of barangay officials.

“We have a City Development Council and we will have many other venues in the future where we can sit together. When we do the final plans for Bacolod, we promise we will seek your suggestions, we will seek your advice, we will seek your guidance,” the mayor said.

“We can make Bacolod’s growth and prosperity complete only if we can have the participation and leadership of our barangay officials. That is what I’m appealing to you,” he further said.

Familiaran said there was “nothing personal, no political commitments” in the city government’s efforts to bring all the barangay officials in one venue to take their oath of office.

“This is one way of showing them that we are willing to work, cooperate and unite with them for the good of the city,” the vice mayor said.

Ma. Joy Meredith Madayag, director of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Bacolod, urged the barangay officials to renew their vows to serve their constituents with commitment, sincerity and fidelity.

“We in the DILG will continue to exercise our mandate of general supervision over all our punong barangays and other barangay officials. We will continue to see to it that you will perform your duties, powers and functions within the bounds of law,” Madayag added.

(Reposted from Philippine News Agency website.  Original title:  Bacolod execs vow to closely work with barangay officials

Camsur coastal barangays hold tsunami simulation drill

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Camarines Sur Provincial Office is enjoining all concerned local government units to support their disaster resilience advocacy, particularly the OPLAN Listo.
 
The project aims to equip the LGUs with information on the appropriate actions they should implement, days prior to the occurrence of any calamity.
 
One of the department’s proposed activities is the conduct of Listong Pamayanan Community Simulation Drill for Tsunami for barangays along the Eastern seaboard.
 
Selected communities shall undergo an on-site and actual tsunami simulation drill and come up with a barangay preparedness plan, which includes an evacuation scheme , slated in the upcoming month. 
 
In Camarines Sur, 38 coastal barangays were identified: 13 from Garchitorena, 9 from Siruma and 16 from Caramoan. There will be 10 participants per barangay composed of Punong Barangay, Barangay Kagawad appointed as Committee Chairman on Community Disaster Preparedness and Eight (8) members of Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (BDRRMC).
 
Aside from the coastal barangays, DILG also targeted communities along the Major River Basin (MRB) and designed the training on the enhanced Listong Pamayanan module in selected barangays in the province.
 
Activities include on -site and actual Simulation Drill for flood and landslide and preparation of barangay preparedness plan/ evacuation plan).
 
The MRB project will cover 484 barangays, 189 of which are identified as flood/ landslide prone areas and 48 barangays to be trained. The training will be conducted in 3 batches.
There will be 10 participants for every barangay consisting of the Punong barangay, Barangay Kagawad appointed as Committee Chairman on Community Disaster Preparedness, Barangay Health Worker and seven (7) members of BDRRMC.
 
The aforementioned activities are aligned with the DILG’s advocacy to institutionalize local protocols which will be implemented by affected barangays. It aims to ensure that disaster preparedness and effective response are in place before and after the occurrence of any calamity.

(Reposted from Philippined News Agency website.  Original title: DILG enjoins LGUs to support Operation Listo) LSMacatangay-PIAV/Camarines Sur.  Photo credit: Twitter.com

VP Leni against arming barangay officials

By Alexis Romero

Vice President Leni Robredo opposed yesterday President Duterte’s proposal to arm village officials.

“I’m not in favor because this is not the mandate of barangay officials. Barangay officials perform executive functions... We have peacekeeping institutions... the police... the military,” Robredo said in an interview in Naga City.

Robredo said arming barangay officials would not address local peace and order problems.

Opposition members said the proposal would also create private armies and a culture of violence.

Duterte said he “might consider” arming barangay chiefs even as he vowed to support those who would get in trouble for helping in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Malacañang said the proposal to arm barangay officials is still under study.

“It will be subject to the requirements of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philipine National Police)... It is still being studied by the President and has not been implemented,” Roque told a press briefing. 

He said the President is aware that government-issued firearms might end up in the wrong hands.

“I think the PNP has the discretion on who should be given gun licenses and permits to carry...Those with bad record would not be given (permits),” Roque said.

(Reposted from Philippine Star. Original title: Leni Robredo Don't arm barangay execs  Photo credit: Office of the Vice President files

DILG warns barangays against real threat of terrorism

Scores of newly-elected barangay chairpersons from the Calabarzon provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon troop to the Sta. Rosa City Sports Complex for the Regional Summit and Mass Oath-taking rites held last Thursday, June 14, 2018. 

By Saul Pa-a

A Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) executive has called on newly-elected village chiefs to cooperate and remained vigilant amid the continuing threat of violent extremism and to never compromise security as everybody’s concern.

DILG Assistant Secretary for Peace and Security Alexander L. Macario made the call during Calabarzon Barangay Leaders’ Regional Summit and Mass Oath-taking at the city sports complex here, where some 4,018 newly-elected village chairpersons in the Calabarzon Region comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon attending.

" I congratulate and salute all of you newly-elected barangay captains, but let me tell also that our Calvary is set to begin this afternoon. You are the key official in-charge as barangay chiefs, therefore exercise your decisiveness, prudence, due diligence and judgement to report any suspicious activity or persons in your jurisdiction as part of good governance,” Macario said.

He said the barangays have been confronted over the years with the threats of armed groups like the communist insurgency and terrorist group and confirmed the continuing threats of violent extremism and terrorism in our midst.

“All communist rebels have wrecked havoc on the Filipinos especially scores have been murdered in bombings, assassinations, kidnapping, including attempts and executions,” he said.

Violent extremism, he said, is a diverse phenomenon and it is neither new nor exclusive to any region, nationality or system of beliefs, that even up to now there is no clear definition of violent extremism.

He said the US and Australia have offered their definition on “violent extremism as a belief or action of the people to encourage, condone, justify or support the commission of a violent act to achieve political, ideological, religious and economic goals.”

He told the barangay captains that “all terrorists are extremists, but not all extremists are terrorists” citing lessons learned over the recent Marawi City siege.

He presented the photos through his slide presentation of the Maute brothers who invaded Marawi City last May 23, 2017 describing the brood as belonging to a rich family.

“No one ever thought that the brood are terrorists because they are rich and some of their family members have studied abroad,” he said.

To the surprise of the crowd, Macario’s revelation said they were able to retrieve passports of the Maute brothers which traced to an address that was from Tanza, Cavite.

The passport sported a different name as a religious leader of the Muslim faith-based group and a “balik-Islam” (converted to Islam) and was one among those killed in the skirmish between the enemies of the state and the government troops.

He also cautioned the barangay leaders on the indoctrination and teachings in schools as prone sites for teach-ins by the extremist groups and even in places of worship.

“Nagaganap din ang mga radicalization sa ating mga public and state universities (radicalization also happens in our public schools and state universities), ” he confirmed as he urged barangay captains to also monitor what is being talked around in their respective communities by going around, familiarizing with community members and knowing their constituents’ activities.

He encouraged barangay leaders to always be vigilant as even the ISIS and radicals actually made use of the social media by recruiting netizens to join their cause by offering huge money and the promise of good life.

He said the collateral damage wrought by the terrorist-extremist group in Marawi City, which include loss of lives from the soldiers, civilians and the enemies of the state; damage to properties; residential areas and businesses; displacement of residents and the effects of evacuees in the relocation sites; and the PHP70 billion initially earmarked by the government in the reconstruction and rehabilitation in the war-torn Lanao del Sur Islamic capital city.

“Sana yung pera na PHP70 bilyon mapupunta para sa development ng ibang mga areas, pero napupunta na doon sa Marawi at hanggang ngayon nasa evacuation centers pa rin ang mga tao doon (The PHP70 billion would have been channelled for development projects in other areas, but this fund was allocated instead for Marawi and up to now the people there are still in the evacuation centers),” he said.

He attributed the factors that led to the Marawi City siege due to weak or failure of local governance especially in the barangays.

He pointed out the lessons learned from the Marawi City clash citing from three groups of barangay captains during their probe - the first group of village chiefs who did not know what was happening in their areas of jurisdiction.

For the second group, these barangay captains who knew all along of what was happening but they simply ignored the incidents because these did not concern them at all as they were preoccupied with getting on with their private business interests.
On the other hand, the third group refers to those who supported and even joined the cause of the Maute terrorist group because they were politically affiliated.

“Sana tayong mga nasa barangay magsilbi tayo ng maayos na walang halong political (We should serve our barangays above political interests),” he urged citing the need to deliver right public service to constituents and practice good governance.

He underscored the eight elements of good governance such as the rule of law; transparency; responsiveness; consensus-oriented; equity and inclusiveness; effectiveness and efficiency; accountability and participation.

He said the fight to violent extremism is through the rule of law and accountability that are interrelated to each other and any missing element could weaken good governance.

He propounded that the ways to avert extremism is through community involvement; collaboration between civilian populace and the police, military and security forces; security awareness of the community and good governance.

(Reposted from Philippine News Agency website. Original title: DILG rallies barangay leaders' support vs. terrorism, extremism) Photo credit: Saul Pa-a.

Digong tells Central Luzon punong barangays to ensure BADAC impelementation

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte administer the oath of the newly-elected Punong Barangays of Central Luzon during a ceremony at the ASEAN Convention Center in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga on June 12, 2018. SIMEON CELI JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Tuesday, June 12, instructed the barangay captains in Region III (Central Luzon) to ensure the establishment and operation of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).

In a ceremony at the ASEAN Convention Center here, President Duterte swore in 2,854 newly elected punong barangays.

“As you advocate for the sectors you represent, I enjoin the newly elected barangays to ensure the implementation of the anti-illegal drug efforts such as the establishment and operation of their respective Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council,” he said in his speech.

At the same time, the Chief Executive said he is considering allowing the village chiefs to carry firearms.

“I might consider arming you. If I think in my assessment and evaluation, at tatanungin ko ‘yung police pati ‘yung intelligence community, if you are really into it, the crime, I will support you and I may grant you possession and to carry your firearms,” he said.

During his speech, the President expressed gratitude to the village chiefs for accepting the challenge of public service “at a crucial moment in our nation’s history.”

“As you take your oath of office and swear in front of your family and supporters, and may I add, before God and people, I trust that you will uphold excellence, accountability, and transparency in your respective offices,” he said.

The Chief Executive told them to set aside personal interest and reminded them of the obligation to serve their countrymen with humility and lead with integrity.

“Keep in mind that you are operating within the context of a nation. Let us set aside our personal interest as we selflessly and tirelessly fulfill the duties and responsibilities that come with our positions,” he said.

“We owe it to the Filipino people to serve with humility and lead with integrity. Our fight against criminality, corruption, and illegal drugs continues,” he further said.

He also explained to barangay captains that in order to create progress that is truly substantial and sustainable, “we must demonstrate the passion and determination to secure and improve the lives of our people.”

“I have the greatest trust in the experience and ability that each one of you possess. Together, let us use this opportunity to bring valuable and meaningful reforms in our bureaucracy so that we can get rid of society’s ills and usher in real and lasting change for the benefit of the people,” he added.

(Reposted from PTV News. Original title:Duterte enjoins new village chiefs to ensure implementation of efforts vs. illegal drugs   Photo Credit: Presidential Communications)

Bacolod barangay officials urged to have disaster plan

By Nanette Guadalquiver

Presidential Adviser on Political Affairs Francis Tolentino urged village officials here to come up with a barangay integrated disaster management plan.

Tolentino made the call after he cinducted into office more than 400 officials from the city’s 61 barangays during the ceremony held at the SMX Convention Center on Saturday afternoon.

“I urge you one thing, I ask you one thing. I ask whoever will be elected Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president to sit down with the 60 members to chart a barangay integrated disaster management plan,” he said.

Tolentino said that even if some villages have smaller funds, all the barangays can pool their funds or resources together to come up with a viable plan.

“It will then be easier for City Hall, in case disaster strikes. You can start that through planning,” he added.

Tolentino also reminded the village officials to stay true to their oath as they assume office this coming June 30.

“Everything you need to do is included in your oath of office, it’s not in the Local Government Code. Middle of your term, you’ll get lazy. Tomorrow, July 1, July 2 you’re still at it, but when 2020 comes, maybe some of you will already get lazy. Just remember your oath,” he said.

He suggested to the barangay officials to have a photocopy of their oaths of office.

“Put one at the barangay hall and the other one at home, but always remember what is written in your oath,” he added.

Tolentino also pointed out that since the oath of office ends with “so help me God,” elected officials invoke the blessings and the guidance of the Almighty.

“Has it ever occurred in your minds that God is with you in fulfilling your duties and responsibilities,” he told the barangay officials. “We should now fuse our faith and flag. They should go together because in your oath, there’s ‘so help me God.’”

Tolentino also informed the village officials that they will also have a regional oath-taking before President Rodrigo Duterte at a yet unscheduled date.

“(The President) will reiterate his support to the barangay officials and also to the Sangguniang Kabataan officials,” he added. 

(Reposted from Philippine News Agency website. Original title: Village officials urged to come up with viable plan for disaster management )

Negros barangay holds peace and development 'pulong-pulong'

 

Barangay 2 Himamaylan officials with members of the Philippine Army and TFK Commander John Chiong held a boodle fight after the Pulong-Pulong in the Barangay covered court.

 By Teresa D. Ellera

ABOUT 200 residents of Barangay 2 in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental participated in the grand “pulong-pulong” initiated by the Civil Military Office (CMO) of the Philippine Army in partnership with Task Force Kasanag, Friday, June 8.

Captain Win Love Bag-ao, commander of the 31CMO said that they have conducted the pulong-pulong not because there is an insurgency problem in the area but they want to promote peace and development in the area.

"We want to uplift the living condition of the people and bring the government to them by getting their concern," Bag-ao said.

John Chiong, National Commander of TFK, said that their partnership with the Philippine Army has been going on for seven years already.

They also held a similar activity in Barangay Tan-awan, Kabankalan City where the recent atrocities of members of the New People's Army was reported.

Chiong said they want to strengthen people’s trust to government and TFK, as representing the civil society, has been facilitating the problems and complaints of the people to concerned government agencies to address them.

Concerned government agencies like the PNP, Bureau of Fire a Protection, Himamaylan City Planning and Development Office, Department of Social Welfare and Development , City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, City Assessor and Department of Agrarian Reform have also been represented during the pulong-pulong that directly answered the concerned aired by the residents in the area.

(Reposted from SunStar Bacolod.  Original title: 
200 Himaymaylan residents attend 'pulong-pulong'. Contributed photo.)

Rody to protect barangay officials fighting drugs

President Duterte, whose tough stance on narcotics helped him win a landslide victory in 2016, said he would not allow barangay chiefs performing their duty to be jailed.

By Alexis Romero

President Duterte has vowed to extend to barangay officials the legal protection he promised to soldiers and policemen who are fighting his war against illegal drugs. 

Duterte, whose tough stance on narcotics helped him win a landslide victory in 2016, said he would not allow barangay chiefs performing their duty to be jailed. 

“I take care of my armed forces and the police. That is why they don’t have a problem anymore. Cases? Performance of duty? Shot a thousand in the line of duty? Fine. I’ll support you,” the President told barangay officials in Cebu last Thursday.  

“I will never allow a soldier or police or barangay captain to go to jail for killing someone in the performance of their duty. And I will tell you, you will never go to jail,” he added. 

About 4,000 drug suspects have been killed since Duterte waged his brutal war against illegal drugs in 2016. Critics claim Duterte’s promise of legal protection has emboldened the police to commit extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations.

Officials deny this, saying law enforcers only use violence if suspects pose a threat to their lives.

Last year, Duterte said about 40 percent of barangay captains in the country are involved in illegal drugs. 

The President said the success of the government’s anti-drug campaign depends on the cooperation of barangay captains. He reiterated that he is ready to kill officials who “destroy the country” by facilitating the sale and distribution of narcotics. 
“Only you (barangay chiefs) can put an end to the drugs, not us. Sometimes the police refuse to act because the barangay captain is there. There are many problems in our nation. I am asking for your help,” Duterte said. 

“I’m almost begging on my knees because what I want for myself is to look into the mirror when I’m no longer president and see that I have done something for my fellowmen and the Filipino. And I will have a full sense of fulfillment for doing my duty.” 

Duterte said he was considering providing barangay chiefs with guns for their security but the proposal needs to be discussed further with government forces. 

Reposted from Philippine Star. Photo credit: Presidential Communications)

Over 3000 Central Visayas barangay chiefs take oath before President Duterte

President Duterte swearing in the newly-elected barangay officials in Central Visayas in Lapu-lapu City

Over 3,000 newly-elected barangay captains in Central Visayas took their oath of office before Pres. Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday at Hopps Dome, Humay-Humay Road, Brgy. Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Año encouraged the newly-installed punong barangays to share the national government’s vision to prevent illegal drugs, criminality, corruption, and violent extremism in their respective barangays.

“We have one vision: To make our barangays a better and safer place and ultimately make our country a better Philippines,” Año said.

The DILG chief also urged the new local officials to help spread the merits of federalism in their respective Barangays.

Of the 3,003 punong barangays who took their oath of office, 1,109 are from Bohol, 1,066 from Cebu, 80 from Cebu City, 30 from Lapu-Lapu City, 27 from Mandaue City, 557 from Negros Oriental, and 134 from Siquijor. 
Año  said that being a punong barangay is both challenging and fulfilling as they are sometimes forced to make decisions that might differ from their beliefs and principles.

“We all know that your position as Chiefs in your respective barangays comes with a huge and deep personality,” Año said.

“Ngayon na kayo ay pormal nang maluluklok na mga Kapitan ng inyong Barangay, dapat ang inyong prayoridad ay ang kapakanan ng inyong mga nasasakupan,” he added.

Campaign for Community Involvement                Año called on the barangay captains to provide good governance to their constituents.

“Ibigay ninyo kung ano ang makapagpasaya sa inyong mga nasasakupan pero siyempre iwasan naman ang mga hindi karapat-dapat kagaya ng sugalan, bahay-aliwan o mga tupadahan,” Año said.

DILG’s top management also took center stage during the event to campaign for community involvement on the government’s fight against illegal drugs, criminality, corruption, and violent extremism.

Also present in the event were Undersecretaries Martin Diño and Epimaco Densing III and Assistant Secretaries Ricojudge Janvier Echiverri, Manuel Felix, and Alexander Macario.

The oath-taking ceremony in Central Visayas is the first of the series of regional events for the newly-installed barangay captains in the Philippines.

The event is made possible through the collaboration of the DILG Central Office, DILG VII Regional Office, Presidential Management Staff, Philippine Information Agency, Philippine National Police, Philippine Army, Presidential Security Group and Local Government Unit of Cebu.

(Reposted from DILG News website. Original title: DILG: 3,000 new-elected barangay capains take oath of office in Central)  Photo credit: Presidential Communications

Kalinga barangays help irrigate two provinces

 

A portion of the Upper Chico River Irrigation System in Tabuk City, Kalinga.

At least 4,000 farming households here and in Cagayan province were seen to benefit from a China-funded irrigation project that will tap the Chico River.

On Friday, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco and Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua led the groundbreaking ceremony for the P4.4-billion Chico River pump irrigation project at Sitio Karaw in Barangay Pinococ here.
The project included six electric pumps in Barangay Katabbogan that can draw 3,800 liters per second. This will irrigate 7,150 hectares in Tuao town and 380 ha in Piat town, both in Cagayan, and 1,170 ha in this Kalinga town.

Chinese requirement
The construction of the pumps, a 42.6-kilometer diversion channel and main canal, and a 98-km lateral canal will employ 14,780 skilled workers during the building phase and 8,700 workers when the Chico River irrigation system becomes operational, said Ricardo Visaya, chief of the National Irrigation Administration.

Zhao said the project would be financed by China Eximbank. He said China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd. would build the project, part of the requirement of China Eximbank.
Cagayan Gov. Manuel Mamba, who joined the ceremony here, said the project would improve the income of 4,350 families here and in Cagayan.

Reposted from Inquirer.net. Original title: Chico River tapped anew for irrigation. Photo credits: Inquirer file photo/Contributed by Adolph Bravo.)

59 Cebu barangays declared drug-free

Another 59 barangays in Cebu Province were declared drug-cleared by the Barangay Drug Clearing Program Regional Oversight Committee yesterday.

This brings the total number of drug-free barangays in the province to 244, out of more than 1,200, including those in all cities.

Of the 59 drug-cleared barangays, 18 are from Borbon; 16 from Tabogon; nine from Alegria; four each from San Francisco and Oslob; three from Medellin; two from Samboan; and one each from the City of Naga, Sogod and San Remigio.

Carmen Remedio “Ivy” Durano-Meca, executive director for the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO), told reporters that in Tabogon town, they were supposed to declare all 18 barangays as drug-cleared.

But the regional oversight committee led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 decided to only declare 16 barangays as drug-cleared since illegal drug personalities are reportedly still present in the two other villages.

Meca said the 59 villages underwent stringent validation by the regional oversight committee before they were declared as drug-free.

She clarified that PDEA 7, as head of the regional oversight committee, has the final say on the matter.

The role of CPADAO, Department of Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Health is to ensure that the 14 parameters set in the Barangay Drug Clearing Program is followed by the village before the on-site validation, she said.

These parameters include, among many others, the absence of drug personalities in the barangay, implementation of an active Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac), and the existence of a voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation program in the villages.

(Reposted from SunStar Cebu.  Original title: 59 more barangays declared drug-free)

To barangay poll winners: no SOCE, no office

In a list published on its website, the Comelec identified 105 candidates who were perpetually disqualified from holding public office for failure to file their SOCE twice.

 By Mayen Jaymalin

A poll watchdog yesterday asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) not to allow newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to assume their posts until they have filed their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

In a list published on its website, the Comelec identified 105 candidates who were perpetually disqualified from holding public office for failure to file their SOCE twice.

The Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) said the Comelec and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) should implement the law on the filing of SOCE.

“This should be strictly implemented to ensure compliance with the campaign finance laws,” LENTE executive director Rona Caritos said.

The winners in the barangay and SK polls will assume their posts on June 30.

The Comelec earlier warned candidates who would fail to file their SOCE before the June 12 deadline of disqualification.
Carios said even those who did not win the elections are required to submit their SOCE to the local Comelec offices.

“We would like to remind all candidates to file their SOCE whether or not they won to avoid being penalized,” Carios said.

Under Repuclic Act 7166, all candidates are required to file true and itemized statement of campaign contributions and expenses within 30 days after the election.

Winning candidates who failed twice to file their SOCE would be prohibited from holding public office until they comply with the requirement.

Earlier, the Comelec announced that all its offices would be opened on June 12, which is a non-working holiday, to accept SOCEs. - With Cecille Suerte Felipe

(Reposted from The Philippine Star. Original title: 'Barangay. SK Officials must report expenses to Comelec'. (Photo Credit: Boy Santos)