STUDY: 'Barangay Officials - The Backbone of Local Governance in the Philippines’

The HKPH Public Opinion and Research Center, in collaboration with the Asia Research Center based in Hong Kong, has recently conducted a comprehensive nationwide study on barangay officials in the Philippines.

This study brings to light the critical role these officials play in the country’s administrative framework. Responsible for maintaining local peace and order, barangay officials work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of residents.

Additionally, their pivotal role extends to delivering essential social services, including health, education, and welfare programs, significantly impacting the lives and well-being of community members.

In a national independent survey conducted from November 3-10, 2023, a substantial level of satisfaction was observed among Filipinos regarding the integration of barangay officials into local government units.

Approximately 70% of respondents expressed contentment with their roles and contributions to the governance structure of the Philippines, underscoring their importance in addressing community needs and expectations.

In a significant endorsement of leadership within this sector, Eden Chua-Pineda, the National President of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas, received robust support from barangay officials nationwide.

Eden Chua-Pineda, the National President of the Liga ng mga Barangay

Garnering an impressive 80% performance rating, Chua-Pineda’s tenure has been marked by commendable leadership and effective policy implementation, despite the varied challenges across different regions.

Additionally, the Liga’s membership, exceeding 42,000, has voiced strong support for the continuation of Chua-Pineda’s leadership following recent barangay elections. This level of backing highlights her effectiveness, policy implementation skills, and overall impact on local governance in the Philippines, reinforcing her credibility and the organization’s unity under her guidance.

Moreover, the role of barangay officials extends to being first responders in natural disasters and emergencies, contributing significantly to risk reduction and damage mitigation. They also play a vital role in fostering local economic development, supporting small businesses, and creating employment opportunities at the community level.

Furthermore, their involvement in public administration enhances community engagement and participation in governance processes, ensuring that the voices of community members are adequately represented.

The performance evaluations of barangay officials are vital in maintaining accountability and transparency within local governance. These evaluations serve as a foundational tool for building trust and confidence among community members, ensuring officials are directly answerable for their actions and decisions.

By identifying areas that require improvement, these evaluations also enhance service delivery efficiency, aligning services with community-specific needs.
Additionally, performance evaluations are key to capacity building and policy implementation, identifying training and development needs that lead to targeted capacity-building programs.

These programs enhance officials’ skills and professionalism and assist in refining local and national policies, making them more responsive to local contexts and needs. Continuous performance checks also promote good governance, encouraging officials to consistently uphold fairness, integrity, and public interest.

In conclusion, the study and subsequent survey findings underscore the indispensable role of barangay officials in the Philippines. Their wide-ranging responsibilities and significant impact on services make them a cornerstone of the country’s administrative system.

Regular assessments of their performance ensure they meet their responsibilities efficiently and transparently, aligning with national objectives and local community needs, reflecting their critical role in the fabric of Philippine local governance. (Source:  The Manila Standard)

25,000 community gardens established under PBBM’s “Kalinisan Day” campaign

 MANILA -- From eight gardens implemented in 2023, there are now 25,000 barangays with community gardens in the country under the “Kalinisan Day” campaign of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

An urban community garden in Taguig City. Photo by: Spot

This was bared over the weekend by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Chito Valmocina who said that this was part of the accomplishments of the “Kalinisan Day” campaign which was launched on January 6 through Memorandum Circular 41.

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Through this program, the barangays are enjoined to have community gardens, which will be planted with eighteen vegetables as inspired by the song “Bahay Kubo” while the barangays are expected to giveaway seedlings to their constituents.

Funding for the project will come from the respective barangay’s budget instead from the national government.

Valmocina said that urban farming of fruits and vegetables will help address food security issues, aid poverty, and alleviate the impact of global warming

“Kasi po ang kadugtong nitong paglilinis ay iyong pagtatanim ng mga gulay. [A]t iyong pagtatanim ay napakalawak po ang maso-solve na problema niyan – iyong kalinisan, kagutuman, kahirapan, kalusugan, kalikasan, climate change at saka global warming,” Valmocina said.

He said the DILG sees the need to sustain the clean-up drive campaign of the Marcos administration to ensure the non-stop implementation of the “Kalinisan Day”. “Dapat continuous iyong paglilinis na ginagawa ng mga barangay. Alam natin na iyong ginawang memorandum circular ng ating Pangulo ay para talagang tutukan at saka talagang i-maintain,” Valmocina said.

Valmocina said the DILG led 42,000 barangays; 1,700 cities; and 82 provinces in carrying out the community cleanup drive that included community gardens and fisheries.

He also lauded the local government of Quezon City for having 1,200 sites of vegetables, encouraging every community to emulate the initiatives as he emphasized that planting such crops is economical and promotes a healthier lifestyle.

“Ang kinakain po talaga ngayon ng mga mahihirap puro noodles, noodles at saka sardinas kasi iyong ang mura,” Valmocina said.

“Lahat po ng sektor ay talagang ini-encourage dito kasi ang unang makikinabang dito ay senior citizen, mga kabataan. Kasi ang daming malnourished sa atin, bihira na iyong kumakain ng gulay. So ito po ay talagang malawak at mahabang pagpapaliwanag kung paano natin ma-encourage iyong lahat ng sektor para talagang ipakita natin bakit sa ibang bansa nagawa nila lahat iyong pagtatanim ng mga fruit-bearing na iyan; iyong gulayan, talagang in-improve nila,” he added.

Valmocina assured the DILG is aggressively working towards a cleaner and healthier community for all as directed by President Marcos.

“Ito pong aming ginagawa ngayon ay talagang pinapakita namin sa Malacañang, sa ating Presidente na talaga seryoso ngayon at lahat ng agency ay talagang minu-monitor po,” he said.

President Marcos has said community development encompasses not just cleanliness as it also includes “children’s welfare, crime prevention, climate change adaptation, capacitating institutions to resolve local disputes, community health and nutrition, commerce and trade.” (Original Story from PIA)