By the BARANGAY REPORTER Editorial Team
Cagayan de Oro City Punong Barangay Anthony Atterviry III of Barangay 17, considered as the 'first smart barangay in the city', is pushing for making every barangay in the city a high-tech barangay.
In a recent interview with reporters, he discussed the advancements his barangay has achieved in terms of technology and transparency.
Punong Baranay Anthony Atterviry III recently showed to
“We can see who disposes of their garbage properly and who doesn’t,” he said.
In addition to free Wi-Fi accessibility for all constituents, Barangay 17 is currently in the initial phase of its barangay information system development.
He explained that the system allows his barangay to manage a database of residents, including personal details, health information, occupation, and educational status.
This way, the barangay can quickly respond to residents’ needs, knowing every vital information as to who they are, their illnesses, jobs, educational status and other relevant information for better barangay governance.
The system also facilitates online access to indigency certificates and other clearances thus minimizing "red tape" for residents.
With the digital advancements in Barangay 17, Atterviry expressed support for Councilor James Judith’s proposal to livestream plenary sessions city-wide.
He urged the city council to prioritize the installation of internet connectivity, citing the affordability of internet services in the present era.
“We should embrace digitalization to catch up with the rest of the country,” Atterviry pointed out. He concluded by urging the city council to take swift action in implementing internet connectivity across all barangays.
However, the proposed ordinance of Councilor James Judith to livestream the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) sessions in the city is meeting strong opposition from some of his colleagues despite his argument that the proposal promotes transparency in barangay governance.
For them, his idea of mandatory Facebook livestreaming or broadcasting of SB-SK sessions needs further study.
He argued that by utilizing social media platforms, barangay officials could promote transparency in barangay governance.
Also, if residents are informed about what's going on in their barangays, participatory governance would be facilitated.
His proposed an ordinance that aims to mandate all 80 barangays in the city to broadcast each plenary session.
However, some of his colleagues in the city council, like Councilor Joyleen Mercedes Balaba, challenged the proposal, saying that the proponent may not have conducted thorough research.
Balaba questioned the feasibility of the proposal because not all the barangays in the city have internet connection so it's important to find out first which barangays have internet and which ones do not before proposing such an ordinance.
Two other councilors Edgar Cabanlas and Jose Abu pointed out the possible violations of local autonomy of the barangays since mandating live streaming may infringe on the autonomy of local governments and might be inappropriate.
The proposed ordinance was ultimately referred to the Committee on Barangay Affairs, chaired by Councilor Alam Lim, and the Committee on Youth, chaired by Councilor Kenneth John Sacala.
Liga ng mga Barangay President, Councilor Yam Lam Lim, also doubts the viability of mandating live streaming of sessions in every barangay.
Lim, who oversees all the Punong barangays in the city, argued that it is impractical to impose compulsory live streaming due to budget constraints in some barangays thus the importance of having a consultation with each barangay.
Looks like its only Punong Barangay Anthony Atterviry III who is in agreement with councilor Judith.
With the digital advancements in Barangay 17, Atterviry expressed support for Councilor James Judith’s proposal to livestream plenary sessions city-wide.
He urged the city council to prioritize the installation of internet connectivity, citing the affordability of internet services in the present era.
“We should embrace digitalization to catch up with the rest of the country,” Atterviry pointed out. He concluded by urging the city council to take swift action in implementing internet connectivity across all barangays.
Source of Original Story: https://mindanaogoldstardaily.com/archives/143197
The use of CCTVs for purposes such as the safety and well-being of the people, as well as looking out for possible violations of rules enacted by the barangay is smart and efficient. If only all barangays had the budget and capacity to access such technology. About the livestreaming of sessions, however, (with my limited knowledge) I can see how it would pose an issue. Many people would express their opinions and, depending on the majority, decisions or actions may be affected (if these comments are allowed to have any effect at all). Although, one may argue that that is the point: to get the majority's opinions on issues concerning them and use their opinions as guide for the authorities' actions. One could also wonder why (aside from the inaccessibility of internet in some barangays) they wouldn't agree to the livestream if there was nothing to hide in the first place.
ReplyDeleteInteresting read!
Thanks Daphne for your incisive comment. You are right in saying that the practice of many barangays to install CCTVs is "smart and efficient" even if its use and application in many instances is for the purpose of running after violators instead of an immadiate action to prevent a crime. With regards to livestreaming of sessions, I can see a classic battle between the old and the young. It doesn't matter who is right. While the old is fortifying its position, for sure the young is steadily gaining grounds to have their way in initiating change in the way the barangays are being run.
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