Man carries casket on motorcycle after barangay refused to lend vehicle

A poor man was forced to carry his kin’s casket on a motorcycle after their Barangay Captain allegedly did not allow them to use the barangay’s vehicle.

Local government units usually possess vehicles, which could be used by the resident in case of emergency.

Barangay officials are the government employees tasked to process the request of the residents for the use of the vehicle.
Recently, the Facebook page “Pinoy Artikulo” has shared the photos of a poor man riding on a motorcycle while carrying a casket.

The man was allegedly forced to carry his kin’s casket on the motorcycle after their barangay captain refused to let him use the government vehicle.


This is the post that appeared in the facebook page that went viral and drew over hundreds of angry comments:

“PINAGDAMOT ANG SASAKYAN | Kudos ky kuyang rider na nagpasaky ng batang inilibing, dahil d pnagamit sa knila ng Bgy Upper Tuminobo Iligan ang kanilang Service sa Bgy . Ang dahilan baka masira daw . Kap , pag -aari po naman yan ng mga tao , nkikiusap ang pamilyang namatayan kc walang pambayad sa punenarya , mkonsensya sana kayo”

Here are some of the more than 1,900 comments on the post about the incident:

Agnes Miranda: “ Grabe naman yung kapitan ba yun bakit pag aari mo ang sasakyan na yan hoy… Kapitan tandaan mo hnd pansarili nyo Lang ang sasakyan na yan para Sa taong bayan ang sasakyan na yan puti pamilya mo Nga Sa walang kuwintang lalakarin ginagamit mamalingki Lang ginagamit Tapos yung nakikiuasap Sayong tao na para mailibing nang maayos yung ililibing hnd mo mapag bigyan tapat sayo tinatangal Sa pag malapitan wala kang puso.”

Hanna Agot: “Grabi Naman sila sa lahat Yan hinde sainyo hiyahiya naman kayo hinde ba kayo Naawa…ok lang Yan sasunod eliction tandaan Nyu mukha Nayan…”
 
Dhall Flores: Karamihan s mga kapitan mga walang modo !! Bsta mkaupo lng sa barangay dapat jn tinatanggal .. pag nangampnya parang mga asong ulol kung mkangiti at mkipagkamay .. pag tapos ng eleksyon nd muna malapitan !! Anyayabang p !!!!”

Thomas Hobbes: “Masisira pag ibang tao nang hiram pero pagkapamilya,kamag anak,kaibigan nya hnd masisira plus pag may sira maaayus mag isa ung sasakyan ng bgy kasi mga kabarilan nya ung pinahiram nya..shout sa mamamayan ng bgy jan sa lugar na yan alam nyu na gagawin sa susunod na eleksyon.”

Ibz Lee: “Wla tlaga puso mga tao kunit nalang natitira mabait sa mundo ..pag mayaman ng hiram wlang sira or pulitiko or ma impluwinsiang tao ipapahiram pa yong sasakyan niya xa pa ang magapapa gasolina ganyan ang tao ngaon. Tutulong pag alam niya may kapalit ..pag mahirap ..dedma lang..”

The post at Philippine News however did not include any statement that explains the side of the barangay captain in question. (Ed.)

Source of story and photo credit: https://philnews.ph.  

John Hay firms up ties with 14 barangays in reservation

Allan R. Garcia, John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) President and CEO, convenes with the newly elected 14 Punong Barangays (PB) within the reservation to renew and reaffirm their partnership and camaraderie towards community development.

Among those present were PB Angelina Canabe Ramos of Camp 7 Barangay, PB Salvador W. Lumitap, Jr. of Loakan-Apugan Barangay, PB Gil Aromin Lomboy of Country Club Village Barangay, PB Michael L. Lawana  of Lower Dagsian Barangay, PB Raymund F. Ruivivar of Upper Dagsian Barangay, PB Magdalena M. Lambac of Greenwater Village Barangay, PB Jose P. Cawiding of Hillside Barangay, PB Casimiro S. Castillo, Jr. of Loakan-Liwanag Barangay, PB . Edoard Emmanuel P. Cayetano of Loakan-Proper Barangay, PB Miguel N. Arnaiz of Outlook Drive Barangay, PB Thelma S. Pasag of Santa Escolastica Barangay, and PB Manolo Laroco N. Llaneta of Scout Barrio Barangay.

Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr., a former Board of Director of the John Hay Poro Point Development Corporation (JPDC) reassures his service and assistance to the ongoing barangay segregation of the 14 barangays.

PB Lawana, on the other hand, envisions a harmonious relationship with his comrades despite the fact that they are uniquely situated.

With the positive and fruitful result of the activity, Pres. Garcia wishes to conduct the activity, regularly, in order to strengthen the relationship with the 14 barangays as well as to establish open communication with them.

JHMC is a subsidiary of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and the administrator of the John Hay Special Economic Zone (JHSEZ).

Through good governance and efficient public service, Pres. Garcia commits to protect and uphold the interest of the communities surrounding the reservations.

Source: John Hay Management website. Photo credit: Herald Express 

Capacity development program for barangay officials set by DILG IV-A

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to implement capacity development programs for all barangay officials through the Barangay Newly Elected Officials for Grassroots Renewal and Empowerment for Accountable and Transparent Barangays (BNEO for GREAT Barangays) to attain good leadership for the elected officials and contribute to the betterment of the country.

During the DILG IV-A and the Philippine Information Agency IV-A’s online series, Sulong CALABARZON, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) Elias Fernandez shared his priorities as new ARD.  Fernandez said the program aims to promote participative governance to increase awareness of both barangay officials and their constituents.

BNEO, he said, would be a training program for first termers, re-electionists, and third termers to gain improvements for their mandated task and responsibilities.

According to Fernandez, there are many factors to be taught to new barangay officials including the improvement of their skills, preparedness for their positions, and the establishment of volunteerism or “bayanihan” to prevent corruption.

BNEO for GREAT Barangays consists of five components namely: Ensuring Smooth Transition, Jumpstarting Local Governance, Sharpening the Saw, Looking Forward to Better Governance through Citizenship Building, and  Enhancing Barangay Performance.

Ensuring Smooth Transition promotes transparency and accountability, it also emphasizes the responsibilities of barangay officials to maintain proper documentation; Jumpstarting Local Governance involves a complete Barangay Agenda for Governance and Development (BAGAD) which will serve as an initial action plan for the first 100 days in office; Sharpening the Saw refers to the flexible and demand-driven component guided by the Capacity Development Agenda to help improve barangay officials skill sets;

Looking Forward to Better Governance through Citizenship Building seeks to promote volunteerism, deliberation and partnerships between the barangay government, citizens groups and people’s/civil society organizations; While the Barangay Seal of Good Local Governance (BSGLG) aims to help operationalize the enhancement of barangay performances along with other success indicators and incentives.

Fernandez said he expects the compliance of all barangay levels to attain good governance.

He also encouraged all elected and appointed barangay officials to participate in the implementation of BNEO to ensure the smooth transition of power and authority from the old to new barangay officials based on the recent guidelines issued by the DILG. (Charmaine Odong, PIA4A)

Source: Philippine Information Agency. Photo credit: bacoor.gov.ph

South Cotobato barangays to have more home food gardens

Based on the results of the barangay profile survey conducted by barangay nutrition scholars here, about 68 percent of the province’s around 200,000 households have their own food gardens.

Despite this, nutrition workers in South Cotabato have stepped up their campaign for the development of more food gardens in local households.

Ma. Ana Uy, provincial nutrition action officer, said Monday they have partnered with barangay councils to promote the establishment of food gardens in more households throughout the province.

Uy said the initiative complements the government’s efforts to improve the nutritional status of children, achieve food security and food diversity as well as prevent possible food shortage during disasters.

“These are home gardens planted with vegetables, fruits, trees, crops, domestic animals and herbs for consumption and additional income,” she said.

Uy, who also heads the community welfare development division of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, said they are targeting to increase the number of food gardens to 80 percent of the area’s households.

She said the move is in partnership with various offices of the provincial government and other national government agencies.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Department of Agriculture have been assisting the establishment of household and community food gardens through the provision of planting materials and other inputs, she added.

Under the program, she said the food gardens were “designed to supply a staple-based diet, with a significant amount of proteins, vitamins and minerals.”

She said some residents often reason out that they lacked time to cultivate a food garden, but noted that having one actually saves time and money.

“They compensate for the reduction of time spent in buying produce in markets and groceries as food becomes directly accessible in backyards,” she said.

With South Cotabato being a largely agricultural area, Uy said growing crops at home should not be a problem.

“We are blessed with abundant and fertile lands for planting so let’s make use of them,” she added.

Source: Philippine News Agency.  SoCot eyes more home-based food gardens. Photo credit: International Care Ministries file photo.

COA discovers 27 'ghost' barangays in Manila

 

Commission on Audit (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

 By Ben Rosario

The Commission on Audit has revealed that the city government of Manila had included 27 non-existent barangay units as recipients of real property tax shares totaling P108.733 million.

In its 2017 annual audit report for Manila, the COA also chided city officials for delaying the release of P952.225 million in tax shares of 896 barangays.

The report also contained adverse audit observations that put to task local executives for assigning private individuals and volunteers to collect vehicle parking fees and placing some P639.134 million trust fund in time deposit.

Both actions are not allowed under the law and government audit rules.

“The release of the quarterly Real Property Tax shares for the 896 barangays of the city for CY 2017 in the amount of P952.225 million was delayed by 56 to 93 days contrary to Section 27 (D) of RA 7160,” said the COA, referring to the barangay finance provision of the Local Government Code.

Under RA 7160, LGUs are mandated to release to the barangay governments their respective RPT share within five days after the end of each quarter.

During the 4th quarter of 2016, the city government failed to give the share of barangays totaling P652,436,000 on time, delaying the release by 56 to 63 days.

At least P2.04 billion in barangay shares were also withheld by the city government from 84 to 86 days during the first quarter of 2017.

“Considering the limited resources of the barangays, the delayed/untimely releases of their RPT shares deprived them of the necessary funds to finance their operations,” COA said.

As auditors computed the barangay funds, they stumbled upon the inclusion in the list of recipients of RPTS at least 27 “ghost” barangays.

“27 non-existent barangays distributed with 30 percent RPT shares totaling P108.733 million of which one barangay had released of the said shares amounting to P.366 million for CY 2017,” it was reported.

However, only one, Barangay 10, received the RPT share of P365,702.00 in 2017.

State auditors revealed that as they reviewed the “Due to LGUs-barangay sub account” under the Office of the City Treasurer, 923 barangays, instead of 896 “as stated in the Factbook of the Liga ng mga Barangay, were listed, thus, indicating that 27 were non-existent.

The COA asked the city government to investigate the circumstances behind the allocation of RPT shares to 27 bogus barangay units.

Further the city government was urged to determine the “legitimacy of the bank account” of Barangay 10 and determine whether the RPT shares deposited by the city government “are still intact.”

Reposted from Manila Bulletin.

Cebu City barangay run by just 2 officials

The only two barangay officials left to run the show.

By Rosalie O. Abatayo and Morexette Marie B. Erram

There are now only two barangay officials in Barangay Ermita who will ensure the delivery of basic services in the village.
 
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-Cebu City) served a one year suspension last Thursday on seven barangay officials, including newly elected Barangay Captain Mark Rizaldy Miral, which stemmed from their failure to cooperate with agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEA) who conducted an anti-drug operation then.
 
The administrative complaint was filed by then PDEA-7 Director Yogi Filemon Ruiz in 2017. Miral was a barangay councilor then while the late Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta was village chief.


The Ombudsman found the village officials guilty for grave neglect of duty. Before the decision, the same officials were placed under a six-month preventive suspension in 2017.
The only barangay officials left are Councilor Efe Rupinta, Imok’s daugher, who is now acting barangay captain, and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairperson Rica Jaime, who will be a barangay councilor.
 
DILG – 7 legal officer, lawyer Ian Kenneth Lucero, told Cebu Daily News in a phone interview that since the suspension from public office is only temporary, there will be no need to appoint replacements for the suspended officials.
Suspended with Miral are reelected village Councilors Antonieto Flores, Ryan Jay Rosas, Aljo Tamundo, Domingo Ando, Maria Buanghug and Wilbert Flores.
 
Cebu Daily News tried but failed to contact Miral for comment. However, in a post on his official Facebook account, Miral expressed disappointment over the Ombudsman’s decision.
 
“It’s a very unfair decision. Last year, we served with the late Kap Imok. And now the decision is here that makes me disappointed. (It is baseless),” he added.
 
Miral also said that even though they’re barred from holding public office, they will extend their support to Efe, Jaime, and all the SK officials in Barangay Ermita.
 
For his part, Lucero explained that not even the officials’ reelection can delete their previous liabilities.
He added that the penalty meted against them by the Ombudsman shall continue as long as the respondents are still in public office.
 
“Regardless of what position you are in right now, for as long as sa gobyerno ka nag-opisina, the penalties of the case will really continue because it carries with it the accountability of being in public office,” said Lucero.

Reposted from Cebu Daily News.

Iloilo City barangays sets up home care services for elderlies, PWDs

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) voted unanimously for the passage of an ordinance establising a home care services to indigent elderly and persons with disability in every barangay of Iloilo City (PNA File Photo)

By Perla Lena

Newly-elected barangay officials of this city will have added responsibilities waiting for them when they assume their posts with the passage of the Iloilo City Home Care Support Services Ordinance.

The final copy of the ordinance was presented to members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) after several amendments where made prior to its approval by the council during their regular session this week.

“From the very start, this has been one of my advocacies and I’m very happy that almost six or seven months before my terms ends this Home Care Support Services Ordinance was passed,” Councilor Candice Tupas said in an interview on Friday.

Tupas said while some indigents have their families to help them, there are some who have no relatives.

But even with those who have families, “it is tasking for the family also to take care of bed-ridden patients,” she said.

“Just give them the appropriate care and it is our job as part of the barangays, as health force of the city to take care and see to it that they are well-taken care of. That they are given priority,” she said.

Section 6 of the ordinance mandates barangays to establish a home care to be headed by the barangay captain together with the barangay council and the Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines, persons with disability affairs office and barangay health workers.

The City Social Welfare and Development Office is responsible with the training of persons involved in the implementation of the services.

Tupas said under the ordinance, barangays are expected to come up with a data bank of indigent elderly and persons with disability for them to be properly monitored.

They will be visited in their homes by barangay health workers at least once a month to check on their hygiene, blood pressure and other vital signs.

The Office of the City Mayor, which is tasked to create a task force, will look into the implementation of the ordinance that will take effect after its publication. 

(Reposted from Philippine News Agency website.