Cebu barangay celebrates Christmas with electricity for the first time

 

PHOTO CREDIT: SunStar Cebu

For more than two decades, the humble and secluded sitio of Bairan, Naga City in Cebu, seven kilometers away from the main road, has been enveloped in darkness. Rough and treacherous road conditions complicate and delay the arrival of progress in this hilltop community.

But after years of hardships, a long-awaited blessing descended upon their village. Electrification finally reached Barangay Bairan. The scattered lights residents once saw from afar, lighting up neighboring barangays, now illuminate the very area where they live.

Arnulfo Tiempo, Analou Obaob, and Neky Kanlom were among the residents of Barangay Bairan who benefited from the Sitio Electrification Program by power distribution utility Visayan Electric Company, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) and the second largest private utility in the Philippines. READ MORE 

MORE BARANGAY NEWS & EVENTS NATIONWIDE

Batangas barangay showcased in DILG clean-up drive. During the conduct the  Second Semester of 2024 Weekly Clean-up Activity, Barangay Pantulan, Agoncillo, Batangas was selected as one of the Regional Showcase Barangays and the lone BARKADA showcase barangay for Cluster 3, DILG-Batangas for Week 34 Clean-Up schedule. BARKADA or Weekly Community Clean-up is one of the projects under the Livable Communities Program Component of the KALINISAN Program.

Last August 30, 2024 the clean-up activity in the aforementioned barangay Agoncillo, Batangas was selected as one of the Regional Showcase Barangays and the lone BARKADA showcase barangay for Cluster 3, DILG-Batangas for Week 34 Clean-Up schedule. BARKADA or Weekly Community Clean-up is one of the projects under the Livable Communities Program Component of the KALINISAN Program

Punong Barangay Herman Brotonel warmly welcomed all participants of the clean-up drive. Mayor Cinderella Valenton-Reyes also attended the activity and expressed the continuous support of LGU Agoncillo for the KALINISAN Program. He guaranteed that the Municipality will continuously implement projects that conform to the objectives of the said program. Vice-Mayor Daniel Reyes also pronounced that the Sangguniang Bayan will continue to craft ordinances compliant with laws that are supportive of the KALINISAN Program. READ MORE 

Davao City search and rescue training for barangay respondents continues.  To enhance the barangay responder’s search and rescue capability, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) continues to conduct Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training for the city’s barangay responders.

Wilson Sumagaysay Jr., Rescue Technician of CDRRMO's Urban Search and Rescue Unit, said that Training and Rescue Unit, said training is essential for barangay responders for them to be ready to react swiftly in times of emergencies.

He said the Urban Search and Rescue Unit offers three days of training on vehicle accident rescue, three-day training on life search and rescue, five days of basic water safety training, five-day flood rescue training, five days of first responder rescue training, and swift water training for technicians. READ MORE

SM Foundation turns over retrofitted health center to QC barangay. Barangay health centers are mandated to provide basic health care to residents of the barangay. These health centers are located throughout the country and serve as the cornerstone of the public health system, ensuring accessible and quality healthcare to communities. 

In Quezon City, one of the barangay health centers is the Krus na Ligas Health Center located along Lt. J. Francisco St. in Barangay Krus na Ligas. It is under the Quezon City Health Department and serves residents of Barangay Krus na Ligas, UP Campus and Teachers’ Village West translating into 73,647 residents.

Among the services being provided at the health center are Medical Consultation, Dental Consultation, Maternal and Child Health Care, National Immunization Program, Family Planning Services, National Tuberculosis Program, Environmental Sanitation, Laboratory Services, Monitoring and Tracking of Communicable diseases. READ MORE

Road connecting two barangays in San Juan and QC opens.  The San Juan City government, together with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, will open the Greenhills-West Crame Connector Road on Monday, connecting Eisenhower Street in Barangay Greenhills with 3rd West Street in Barangay West Crame.

The Greenhills-West Crame Connector Road was once a dead-end, with privately owned lots separating Barangay Greenhills from Barangay West Crame. The private lands were acquired by the city government, allowing this section to be opened to both vehicles and pedestrians.

Eisenhower Street in Barangay Greenhills and 3rd West Street in Barangay West Crame are part of the Mabuhay Lanes, which are designated no-parking zones. As such, the San Juan City Wheel Clamping Ordinance and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Resolution 10, Series of 2010 will be fully implemented on these streets. READ MORE

Las Piñas barangays to receive Pamaskong Handog. Las Piñas barangays to receive Pamaskong Handog.  Las Piñas City began its annual “Pamaskong Handog” gift-giving program on December 10 in Barangay Ilaya, kicking off a series of holiday events aimed at spreading cheer to residents.

Vice Mayor April Aguilar, City Councilor Mark Anthony Santos, and Alelee Aguilar led the distribution of Noche Buena packages, which included Christmas grocery essentials and rice, ensuring families can enjoy a festive holiday meal.

The city government said the program will roll out across other barangays in the coming days as part of its efforts to foster community spirit and provide holiday support to residents. READ MORE

Ground rupture damaged houses in Quezon barangay. LOPEZ, Quezon – Fifteen houses sustained damage after the ground ruptured in Purok 2, Barangay Matinik, this town, on Saturday night, Dec. 14.

Residents evacuated to their barangay hall which was not affected by the shaking and spent the night there.

Residents said the weather was fine and felt no earthquake.

A resident, Judy Cabildo, said they had experienced typhoons and earthquakes before and this was the first time the ground opened up in the area. READ MORE

 

 

 

Barangay management information system ready by January 2025—DILG

  PHOTO CREDIT: Philstar

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched its Local Government Unit Support System (LGUSS), in compliance with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s push for digitalization of government services.

In a news release on Thursday, the DILG said LGUSS is a comprehensive and integrated platform that aims to increase the efficiency of local governments for improved and better public services. It is composed of the Barangay Information Management System (BIMS) and the Cities and Municipalities Information Management System (CMIMS), which both contain various information systems tailored to the localities' needs.

The LGUSS seeks to automate and enhance the daily operations of cities, municipalities and barangays. “I am confident that this platform will not only improve processes but also the overall quality of life within barangays, cities and municipalities,” DILG Undersecretary Lord Villanueva said during Tuesday's launch in Quezon City. Based on a survey conducted by the DILG, 98.84 percent of 16,246 respondents from the barangays and 98.69 percent of the 1,831 respondents from the cities and municipalities are willing to adopt the LGUSS.

More modules will be included in the LGUSS in the coming years such as Barangay Community Feedback/Request, Barangay Vaccination Monitoring, Barangay Projects Monitoring, Land Registration, Disaster Monitoring, and Collections and Remittance Monitoring.

This support system was developed by the Department’s Information Systems and Technology Management Service in partnership with the National Barangay Operations Office and the Bureau of Local Government Development. (Read Original Story at https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1239355)

MORE BARANGAY NEWS & EVENTS NATIONWIDE

Cagayan De Oro barangay chief disqualified by Comelec due to issuance of barangay certificates. A barangay chairman in Cagayan de Oro City has described as political harassment the case filed to disqualify him in the 2025 midterm elections.

Rainier Joaquin Uy, chairman of Barangay Carmen, is seeking a congressional seat for the First District of Cagayan de Oro.

The Commission on Election (COMELEC)’s law department filed a disqualification case against Uy over his alleged involvement in the supposed irregular surge of voter registrants in the barangay.  READ MORE 

Camarines Norte governor praises barangay agricultural extension workers. Camarines Norte Gov. Ricarte “Dong” Padilla, Jr. has attended the Barangay Agricultural Extension Worker Year-end Assessment.

Padilla lauded the agricultural workers for their contribution to the growth and development of the sector.

“Malaki po ang tiwala ko sa ating mga Barangay Officials at sa Brgy. Agricultural Extension Workers (BAEW) na ang atin pong programa sa sektor ng agrikultura ay nasa tamang direksyon,” ("I have a lot of trust in our Barangay Officials and in Brgy. Agricultural Extension Workers (BAEW) that our program is in the agricultural sector is in the right direction,") Padilla said. READ MORE 

House approves on second reading postponement of barangay elections. The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed on second reading a measure seeking to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) scheduled on Dec. 5, 2022 to Dec. 4, 2023.

During the plenary session, the chamber approved via viva voce House Bill 4673, which proposes to allow the deferment of this year’s BSKE and move its date to the first Monday of December 2023.

Under the measure, the subsequent synchronized BSKE was also set on the first Monday of 2026 and every three years thereafter. READ MORE

Pasay barangays receive rescue equipment from LGU. Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano turned over various rescue equipment to 10 barangays in the city aimed at fully equipping them with the necessary tools and items needed during the conduct of rescue operations. 

Rubiano said the recipient communities are Barangays 176, 177, 178, 179, 180, 181, 182, 183, 184 and 201. These are all located near creeks and the riverside and are prone to flooding during typhoons.

She said the barangays were given fiberglass boats, rescue life vests, ring buoys, water ropes, rescue cans and helmets. READ MORE

Barangays in San Fernando City in Pampanga shifting to renewable energy

                                                        PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook Page San Fernando City Government

Two villages in this city are now shifting to renewable energy.

Barangays Bulaon and Panipuan have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) each with a provider of solar power system to illuminate their areas using renewable energy.

Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag, who introduced the project to San Fernando barangay councils, witnessed the MoA signing between the villages and Majestic Synergy Ventures, Inc. on Friday at their respective Barangay halls.  READ MORE

BARANGAY NEWS AND EVENTS NATIONWIDE 

Three barangays in Batangas installed with solar-powered water supply system. The Department of Public Works and Highways in Calabarzon (Region IV-A) has announced the completion of three solar water system projects in Batangas province that are expected to provide residents with reliable supply.

In a phone interview on Thursday, engineer Jehela Roxas, head of the agency's 4th District Engineering Office (DEO), shared details about the integration of solar power technology into water systems in Barangay Castillo, Padre Garcia town; Barangay Catandala in Ibaan; and Barangay San Guillermo in Lipa City.

He said the projects were funded under the General Appropriations Act of 2023 at a total cost of PHP10 million. The care and maintenance of these facilities are supervised by the respective beneficiary barangays. READ MORE 

Mandaue City barangay site of new Super Health Center (Cebu Philippines October 19, 22024) THE Mandaue City Health Office (MCHO) hopes to begin construction of the Super Health Center in Barangay Centro by the end of 2024 amid delays in the bidding process.

Dr. Debra Catulong, head of MCHO, told reporters on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, that the project, a collaboration between the Mandaue City Government and the Department of Health (DOH), aims to provide better healthcare services for residents.

“The bidding process is still ongoing, which has caused delays, but we are pushing to start construction this year,” she said, expressing concern that any further delay could impact the center’s opening, initially targeted for 2025. READ MORE

 

Comelec suspends plebiscites and other special polls to give way to Barangay, SK and other elections scheduled in 2025. The Commission on Elections has temporarily suspended the holding of plebiscites and the special Sangguniang Kabataan polls until December 2025 to give way to next year's three elections.

The Comelec en banc decided to reschedule these to focus on preparations for three elections in 2025: the midterm polls, the Bangsamoro parliamentary elections in May and the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

The poll body has described 2025 as a "super election year," according to state-run news agency Philippine News Agency. READ MORE

Training on pili nut production held in Barangay Gamot in Albay. To diversify agricultural products and boost market potential, members of the Gamot, Luya, Dalogo Farmers Association (GALUDA FA) in Polangui, Albay, completed successfully a training on the research and development of pili nut-based products.

The one-day session, organized by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) of Albay, was held at their office in Barangay Gamot, Polangui.

In a statement, Maria Eugenia M. Alteza, DAR-Albay Provincial Agrarian Reform Program Officer, highlighted the agency’s commitment to empowering farmers by encouraging them to not only improve their agricultural practices but also to explore innovative ventures that can open better economic opportunities. READ MORE

Barangay treasurer found guilty of malversation of public funds by the Sandigan Bayan. The Sandiganbayan has denied the appeal filed by a barangay treasurer and affirmed the Baguio regional trial court (RTC) in finding him guilty of four counts of malversation of public funds in connection to the cash prizes of a 2011 Sangguinan Kabataaan (SK) sportsfest.

In a 27-page decision written by Associate Justice Ronald Moreno dated September 17, the anti-graft court’s third division found Barangay Camp 7 treasurer Rommel Beltran guilty and affirmed a prison term of up to 10 years.

“He shall also suffer the penalty of perpetual disqualification from holding any public office,” the court said. READ MORE

Former barangay kagawad says Chinese POGOs were in Cagayan de Oro as early as 2018. Former Barangay Councilor Engr. Elmer Cotiamco has confirmed a significant influx of Chinese nationals in Barangay Cugman since his tenure began in 2018.

Cotiamco revealed that these Chinese individuals, aged between 20-35, frequently visited his spouse’s parlor, often accompanied by interpreters for grooming services.

In an exclusive interview of Bombo Radyo’s Zona Libre Program, Cotiamco admitted that the local council was initially unaware of a POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) hub operating within the Alwana Business Park. READ MORE 

Art expression walls proposed in every Baguio City barangays.  City Council, during last Monday’s regular session, approved on first reading a proposed ordinance designating an art expression wall or walls in each of the city’s one hundred twenty eight barangays and providing guidelines for the said  purpose.

Under the proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr., each barangay shall designate an art expression wall in its jurisdiction that those interested in using or painting something on the said wall must first coordinate with the concerned barangay for proper scheduling of activities to prevent chaos.

Further, persons qualified and approved by the barangay to paint on the said walls shall use non-toxic lead-free and water-based paints.  READ MORE

Cebu City barangay gets new ambulance. Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, along with Councilor Jaypee Labella, recently led the turnover of a brand-new ambulance to the officials of Barangay Apas. The ceremony took place at the Plaza Sugbo Grounds, marking a significant step in enhancing the barangay's capacity for emergency response.

The handover of the ambulance underscores the City Government's commitment to equipping local barangays with the necessary tools to effectively respond to medical emergencies and disasters.

Acting Mayor Garcia emphasized that this initiative is part of the city’s broader mission to improve public health and safety services at the grassroots level, ensuring that communities have quick access to emergency medical care. READ MORE

Mercury leak detected in QC barangay. Toxic watchdog group BAN Toxics recently detected mercury leakage from a stockpile of busted fluorescent lamps stored in a barangay in Quezon City. Following a series of consultations by the group with barangays around the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (QMMC) for the Philippine Healthcare and mercury Wastes Management Project (PHCWMP), officials from Barangay Blue Ridge A informed BAN Toxics about their stockpile. READ MORE 

Ilocos Norte barangay chairman shot dead outside his home. San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte—Barangay Chairman Francisco Bagay Jr., 45, was shot and killed outside his home in Barangay 5, San Silvestre, on the evening of 20 September 2024. Despite the immediate response from local police, details surrounding the motive for the attack and the number of gunshot wounds remain unclear.

According to a report from the llocos Norte Police Provincial Office, Bagay was sitting in the garage of his house when an unidentified man approached and shot him several times.

The suspect quickly fled the scene on a motorcycle driven by an accomplice. READ MORE

6 barangay residents in Palawan lost at sea found in Tawi-Tawi. The six residents of Balabac who went missing during the height of the southwest monsoon’s onslaught have finally returned home to Barangay Mangsee, reuniting with their families on Saturday, September 20.

 The six individuals were reported missing due to adverse weather conditions while attempting to recover their boat, which had been displaced by rough seas on September 16.

They were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard’s multi-role response vessel (MRRV 4403), BRP Malapascua, from Tawi-Tawi province after being swept away by strong waves. They were handed over to the PCG vessel by FV Queen Bee Star. READ MORE

1.3 km. floodwall cum recreational linear park spans three Valenzuela barangays. More than just a recreational spot, the Valenzuela Boardwalk plays a vital role in flood control. Acting as a barrier, it helps protect the city from potential flooding caused by water flow from neighbouring Meycauayan. Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian emphasised this dual purpose, stating, “Ito pong boardwalk natin ay hindi lamang pasyalan, kung hindi ho ay proteksyon para sa ating mga barangay” (This boardwalk is not only a recreational spot but also protection for our barangays).

To celebrate the boardwalk’s opening, the city held its inaugural "Valenzuela Walkathon," which saw around 200 senior citizens participating. The event also featured a free go-karting activity for children aged 4 to 7, making the boardwalk an exciting new spot for all ages.

At night, the boardwalk transforms with ambient lighting, making it even more enchanting. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a morning jog or a peaceful evening stroll, this new park offers a refreshing escape from the city's hustle. READ MORE

Suspended Iloilo City barangay chief seeks P100,000 damages from critics. San Isidro, Jaro barangay captain Ronela Juaneza has asked the City Council to dismiss for want of merit the complaint over alleged irregular release of barangay public funds.

In her 15-page answer, Juaneza also sought moral and exemplary damages totaling P100, 000 from the complainants for filing the complaint meant to “suit their whims and caprices and to harass” her administration.

“Instead of helping her and guiding her new administration, the old administration officials who are also her barangay kagawad are adamant about watching her fail. Like a fish in the fishbowl, her young administration is put to the test,” read Juaneza’s reply through her lawyer, Karen Edaniel. READ MORE

ABOUT BARANGAY REPORTER                                                                                                                        

Barangay Reporter is an online newsletter in blog format dedicated to reporting barangay news and events nationwide. Sent by email to readers, it is published primarily for barangay officials who could benefit from the useful ideas and information contained in every issue. It was founded in 2014 by the Publisher/Editor, Mauricio I. Miranda Jr., a Makati-born and raised business executive and consultant who strongly believes that strong barangays are the foundations of a strong nation. Upon retirement from the corporate sector, he immersed himself for 3 years as a volunteer ‘Lupon’ member in a barangay in Rizal  where he is residing, to study and understand how barangays function.

Contributors are welcome to submit manuscripts in Word or WordPad format on barangay-related stories on best practices in barangay governance and development. Just write to the Publisher/Editor at brgyreporter@gmail.com. or call tel. 0968–8549256 for more details of manuscript submission guidelines.

“The success of the government is in the hands of every barangay” - Gen. Eduardo Año (Ret.), Former DILG Secretary