Environment protection top priority of Kalinga's leading barangay

Barangay Bulanao Centro, as the premiere barangay of this province, has made environmental protection its priority with focus on solid waste management.

The Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Sanitation chaired by Kagawad Ester Casayuran intensified efforts on “BatogKo, Dalus Ko”, Segregation at Source, Anti-Spitting of Momma and prohibition of Astray Animals.   It also strengthened the “bayanihan” system leading weekly clean-up drive in public places particularly within the public market and road right-of-ways.

Barangay Chairman Cosme Gunnawa Sr., in his State of the Barangay Address during the Barangay Assembly Day, said regular information drives are being conducted about environmental protection and on Republic Act 9003 or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act to the public including transport groups.

The council conducts dialogue every Monday with staff, barangay police, advisers and solid waste management employees to update them of performances, activities in the previous week, as well as issues and concerns of the community reported to the barangay needing attention, he said.

He also reported the strict implementation and enforcement of city ordinance on proper solid waste segregation.

On other aspects of governance, he said they settle cases endorsed to the barangay council and Lupong Tagapamayapa. 

They conduct monthly meeting with Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) for the elimination of illegal drugs and strengthened the Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya-Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Droga (MASA-MASID), revitalized barangay tanods to assist the police, and organized Barangay Emergency Team 24/7 and Barangay Emergency Responder 927.

“We also conducted training on Basic Police Function on peacekeeping that includes traffic and disaster preparedness”, Gunnawa reported.

To ensure active role of every council member, elected officials and SK chairman are assigned to the different working committees

On enforcement of ordinances, the barangay LGU prohibits encroachment of structures along passage ways within Bulanao market, gradually demolished illegal structures, strict enforcement of one way traffic ordinances and anti colorum campaign of the City Public Order and Safety Office. Stickers and master listing of BTODA, other Public Utility Vehicle and tricycles for easy identification in cases of crime, accidents and illegal activities and violation of traffic order.

Gunnawa assured to wisely utilize barangay funds for  the needs of the greater number of the populace and s the general welfare of the community.

Barangay Bulanao Centro was the provincial showcase during the second semester conduct of Barangay Assembly Day last weekend.

During the barangay assembly, 60 employees and members of mandated committees took their oath. There are 120 employees of the barangay LGU and is operating on a P15 million yearly share from the internal revenue allotment.  (Peter A. Balocnit)

Source of news and photo credit: Philippine Information Agency

In Photo: Cosme Gunnawa Sr., Barangay Chairman of Bulanao Centro, assures  his  constituents that the barangay funds  will be utilized wisely  for the needs of the greater number of the populace and  for the general welfare of all. Greater percentage of theP15 million IRA is alloted on environmental protection projects.

First barangay in the country to go "organic"?

Eyed as the pilot organic zone in the country, Barangay Sibulan will be given five years for land preparation.

Davao City Councilor Marissa Abella said the committee for food and agriculture, which she heads, has been preparing for the second reading of the ordinance to proclaim the barangay as an organic zone and has been adjusting some of its policies.

“Thirty to 40 percent of the farmers in Sibulan are already organic farmers and the remaining 60 percent are considered ‘organic by neglect’ farmers,” Aerylle Clarice Gura, Auxillary Service Worker under Abella, said in an interview Wednesday.

She explained that after the ordinance will be passed in the City Council, it will be given five years for land conversion or preparation to comply with the guidelines as an organic zone.

“Organic by neglect” farmers are those who grow plants without the use of both organic and inorganic fertilizers.

Interface Development Interventions (Idis) Inc. said that for a place to be declared an organic zone, the area should consist at least 60 percent organic farmers.

Gura said there has been positive feedback from the residents of Sibulan during the public consultation last month about converting the area into an organic zone.

There are some adjustments in the penalties to be stated in the ordinance.

Barangay Sibulan proposed P1,000 penalty for first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 for the third offense. However, some of the city councilors proposed that penalties should only be P1,000, P2,000 and P3,000 for first three offenses.

“Kailangan nalang namo i-specify kung kinsa ang mga ma-penalize. Like kung tenants, corporation, individuals (We still have to specify on who will be penalize if ever. Like for tenants, corporation, individuals),” Gura said.

Source of news: SunStar Davao.  In Photo:
Davao City Councilor Marissa Abella, head of the committee for food and agriculture, says Barangay Sibulan will be declared an organic zone. (Photo by Macky Lim)

The search is on for the Most Child Friendly Barangay in Davao City

In line with the celebration of the National Children’s Month, the City Government of Davao through the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) launched the first search for the “Most Child Friendly Barangay.”

During the flag ceremony on Monday at the City Hall of Davao, CSSDO head Malou Bermudo said that the search aims to give recognition to barangays that were able to sustain children friendliness of their constituents.

Bermudo also said that the search is consistent with Davao City’s accolade as a Hall of Fame awardee in the Most Child Friendly City for Highly Urbanized Category in the country.
The winning barangay will receive a trophy and a cash prize, which according to the CSSDO head, has yet to be finalized.

The evaluation of the 182 barangays in Davao City was initially screened on August last year, as conducted by the CSSDO and the City Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC), and will be awarded on November 28.

“Our basis on the awards is based on the programs that the barangays implemented with regards to the child protection and the initiatives made in ensuring the rights of the children,” Bermudo said.

She also said that the award will weight on to the active participation of the children in the programs of the barangay.

“We will also see to it what are the participation of the youth in their respective barangay councils, as part of the evaluation that would make them the top contender in the said search,” Bermudo said.

He hoped to conduct the search annually, to encourage the barangay to strengthen its program and measures in ensuring that children’s welfare is highly ensured , considering the barangay is the smallest and the basic unit of government. (Ralph Lawrence Llemit)

Source of news: EdgeDavao. Photo credit: lovethechildrenfoundation.org

Like and Share us on Facebook.  Follow us on Twitter.

Barangay officials warned against refusing to witness illegal drugs catch

Dumaguete City barangay officials were cautioned against refusing to witness inventories of confiscated illegal drugs during buy-bust operations or conduct of search warrants.

City Prosecutor Arnel Zerna made this clear during the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) technical and skills enhancement training held here from Oct. 30-31.

He said that barangay officials, the media and representatives from the Department of Justice are called to witness in the inventory of confiscated illegal drugs and testify on the items being inventoried with markings on it, as provided for under Section 21 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of of 2002.

Inventory can be conducted at the crime scene, the nearest police station or at the office of the operating unit.

Refusal on the part of the barangay officials invited to witness the inventory would result in administrative liability and even imprisonment of 12 years and one day up to a maximum of 20 years plus a fine of PHP500,000.

Zerna cited a case in Cebu where the entire group of barangay officials was suspended for refusal to witness in an inventory of confiscated illegal drugs and paraphernalia.

The clarification was made in response to the concerns raised by Poblacion 1 Tinago village chief Harrison Gonzales who admitted he instructed his council members not to testify in the inventory of confiscated illegal drugs paraphernalia allegedly confiscated from a certain Abemelech Lacsican following a buy-bust operation in the barangay.

Gonzales explained he should not be called to witness an inventory that he has no personal knowledge of as to how it was conducted and whether the items recovered were really owned by the subject even if the suspect is not a resident of Tinago.

Concerns such as the legitimacy of the anti-illegal drugs operations as well as allegations of planting of evidence should be addressed in court, the prosecutor stressed.

Due to such apprehensions, barangay officials, the media and the representative from the DOJ are advised to put in the inventory the actual time and date they affixed their signature and to make sure the items confiscated are with markings that can be identified in court.

Besides, Zerna pointed out, law enforcement units enjoy the presumption of regularity while performing their respective duties and responsibilities. But if the defense can show proof of claims the buy-bust or search is illegal, the same shall be brought before the court and should not be made as reason for the barangay official concerned not to witness in the inventory.  

Source of news: Philippine News Agency. Photo credit: PTV News

Zamboangoa City barangay gifted with P7.2M for hosting siege victims

The city government of Zamboanga recently unveiled two infrastructure projects worth PHP7.19 in Barangay Mampang, this city.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who led the unveiling ceremonies, said the construction of the two projects is a show of gratitude to Barangay Mampang for hosting the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the 2013 siege.

The first project Salazar unveiled is a covered court worth PHP3.995 million located at the campus of Mampang Elementary School. The second project is a wellness center costing P3.195 million.

The two projects were constructed by private construction firms under the supervision of the City Engineer’s Office.

Salazar has assured that services will be augmented in Barangay Mampang through additional infrastructure projects and programs.

“Let us continue to make our children’s future a reality today!” Salazar told those who attended the unveiling of the two projects.

The barangay of Mampang has served as home to thousands of IDPs of the 2013 siege since three transitory sites were constructed in the area.

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Socorro Rojas on Friday said there are still 246 families housed in two transitory sites in Mampang. (Teofilo Garcia, Jr.)

Source: Philippine News Agency  Photo credit: Rappler