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 )