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)

Nutrition scholars to be appointed in every barangay in Muntinlupa City

Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon recently signed a municipal ordinance passed by the City Council designating at least one Barangay Nutrition Scholar or BNS for each of its nine barangays to strengthen the city's barangay nutrition program. 

Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon (Photo from Muntinlupa PIO)

“The BNS Program is one of the Philippine Plan Of Action for Nutrition's human resource development strategies” according to the ordinance based on Presidential Decree No. 1569, which requires the designation of a BNS in every barangay. 

A barangay nutrition scholar is “a barangay-based volunteer worker responsible for delivering nutrition services and other related activities such as community health, backyard food production, environmental sanitation, culture, mental feeding, and family planning to the barangay.” 

"To qualify, a BNS should be  a) a bona fide resident of the barangay for at least four years; b. possess leadership potential and the initiative and willingness to serve the barangay for at least one year; willing to learn and teach what he/she has learned to barangay residents; at least a high school graduate; physically and mentally fit; at least 18 but not more than 65 years old; and willing to report to the health center for the agreed number of hours.” 

The appointment of a BNS is co-terminus with the barangay chairman unless reappointment with the concurrence of the Sangguniang Barangay. 

The duties of a BNS are: 

a. To undergo the required training as required by law;

b. Locates and identifies malnourished children through a community survey called Operation Timbang Plus; 

c. Based on the results of the annual survey, the BNS weighs all undernourished preschoolers monthly;

d. Monitors the growth of all 0-23 month-old children to evaluate if the children are reaching their growth targets according to the accepted child growth standard;

e. Performs quarterly follow-up weighing of children, 24-59 months old, to monitor their growth rate and determine any need for counseling of parents and/or caregivers or referral to appropriate service providers;

f. Engages the community to action by organizing families into clusters or into community-based organizations working and helping the barangay to improve the nutrition situation among the vulnerable;

g. With the barangay master list of wasted, stunted, under and overweight children, pregnant and lactating mothers, the BNS links the people needing nutrition intervention and the barangay service providers 

h. Performs other functions as may be provided by ordinance, law and other CNC mandated policies. (Read original story at: MANILA BULLETIN)

 

“TESDA sa Barangay” program pushed in Soccsksargen (Region 12)

 TESDA Director General Sec. Suharto Teng Mangudadatu (right) 

and TESDA 12 Regional Director Rafael Y. Abrogar II listen to Sultan Kudarat TESDA stakeholders.

About 17,000 TESDA slots are up for grabs in The “TESDA sa Barangay Program in 1,165 barangays in  the Soccsksargen Region (Region 12), said Suharto Teng Mangudadatu, Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). 

To start during the opening quarter of 2024, Mangudadatu is planning to open more programs in the barangays and enhance the capabilities of trainers for more Technical Vocational programs.

In his meeting with the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Government, together with TESDA 12 Regional Director Rafael Y. Abrogar II, Mangudadatu discussed the different activities and plans for the barangays especially the implementation of various programs for the marginalized sectors.

“We will open opportunities for those people who want to have a job or to start a business by bringing our services to their reach,” Mangudadatu said.

He also considered the strengthening of the CTEC or Community Training and Employment Coordinators which is seen as vital support in ensuring the implementation of various TESDA programs.

Community-Based Trainer’s Methodology Course (CBTMC) is one of the TESDA programs to maximize the number of trainers in the region.

In his 10-point agenda, Mangudadatu will prioritize the “TESDA sa Barangay,” “Youthpreneurship,” an efficient and easier way of registering or applying for TESDA scholarship programs and HALAL TVET programs.

“Sultan Kudarat will start the plan because I know we can do it and we can perform the task,” Mangudadatu said.

It will cover thousands of marginalized individuals in the region that will undergo upskilling and reskilling to strengthen employment opportunities. (Source: NDBCNEWS) 

Pasig City Vice Mayor Jaworski leads launching of ‘Talakayan sa Barangay’

Vice mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr. and the 11th City Council led the 'Talakayan sa Barangay' held last Friday at the Barangay hall of San Miguel in Pasig City.

                                                                                

Photo from Facebook Page of Vice Mayor Dodot Jaworski

Expected to improve relations between residents and local officials, the Barangay Talakayan is like a townhall meeting wherein the vice mayor and city councilors answer questions, hear requests, and remedy complaints from residents.

It will be held weekly and will continue until the end of the officials’ terms.

The Vice Mayor said the initiative will be an opportunity to hear the residents’ concerns directly and help officials to make their policies more effective and substantial for their constituents.

He added that he and Mayor Vico Sotto do ‘Oplan Kaayusan’ by making the rounds everyday to meet with people in the city and the Talakayan in every barangay facilitates the proper setting to have a dialogue with them. 

To be better prepared in making the rounds of the barangays, officials were asked to make a list of concerns/problems of their residents.

Negros Occidental Liga ng mga Barangay holds election of officers

DILG Provincial Director Teodora Sumagaysay recently announced January 12, 2024 to be the holding of elections for the officials of Liga ng mga Barangay in the province. 

PHOTO from Negros Occidental PIO

She said that the DILG will oversee the election process in the presence of representatives from the Commission on Election and civil society.

The front runner in the elections is Victorias City Brgy. 2 chairman Richard Julius Sablan.  He is replacing Juvy Pepello, also a barangay chairwoman in Victorias City whose term has ended. 

Once elected, the Liga president also sits as an ex-officio member of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan of the Province of Negros Occidental.

Director Sumagaysay added that The Liga ng mga Barangay provincial elections  scheduled on the 12th day of January is conducted simultaneously nationwide. 

Barangays and NGOs commended on best practices on juvenile justice and welfare programs

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (JJWC) awarded the winners of the Search for Good Practice of Barangays and Non-Government Organization (NGO) Partners Implementing the Diversion Program of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act (JJWA) on November 25, 2022 in Manila 

This year’s celebration carried the theme, “Pagbabago ay Panigurado kung Tututukan natin ang Juvenile Justice Law!” which calls for the strengthened implementation of the JJWA to ensure that the rights of children in conflict with the law (CICL) and children at risk (CAR) are upheld at all times.

The Search was part of the 11th Juvenile Justice and Welfare Consciousness Week (JJWeek) which was held on November 20-26, 2022. It aimed to recognize the mechanisms and good practices of duty-bearers and stakeholders in implementing diversion programs, which is one of the key features of the JJWA, that provides alternative processes in determining the responsibility and treatment of CICLs without resorting to rehabilitation away from their families and undergoing formal court proceedings.

In the message of Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo, which was delivered by Undersecretary Charles Frederick Co, the DSWD executive recognized the efforts of the barangays and other stakeholders implementing the JJWA.

“Today’s event is a celebration of your efforts and the lives of children that you have helped changed for the better. We, at the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the JJWC commend your initiatives in fulfilling your mandates under the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act,” he said.

“We recognize the challenges and gaps, and like you, we remain committed to find ways to strengthen the full and proper implementation of the law. This search is one of our strategies to advocate for and support the implementation of diversion. By packaging good practices, we create knowledge products that duty-bearers and stakeholders can learn from and encourage the full implementation of the law,” he added.

The following are the winners of this year’s Search for Good Practice of Barangays and NGO Partners Implementing the Diversion Program of the JJWA:

Barangay Category

• 1st Place – Brgy. Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet
• 2nd Place – Brgy. Kulapi, Lucban, Quezon
• 3rd Place – Brgy. Lomoyon, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao

Shortlisted entries under the Barangay Category: Brgy. Calumpang, Iloilo City and Brgy. Pico, La Trinidad, Benguet

Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC) Category

• 1st Place – Brgy. Cabanbanan, Oton, Iloilo
• 2nd Place – Brgy. Camino Nuevo, Zamboanga City

NGOs in the Barangay doing Diversion Programs

• Quidan Kaisahan in Negros Occidental

Aside from the Search, the JJWC also conducted various activities during the JJWeek to advocate for the effective and efficient implementation of the JJWA. Among the events include: the handover of assistance kits to 84 Bahay Pag-Asas (BPA) as part of the Support to Bahay Pag-Asa Project; the launching of the Prosecutor’s Manual on Handling Cases of Children; the Ceremonial Signing-in of the Buklod Paglaom Learning Management System; and, the RJJWC Functionality Awarding Ceremony.

The DSWD and the JJWC commit to continue to enhance systems and mechanisms to improve the implementation of the JJWA in coordination with duty-bearers and other stakeholders. Content and (Journalonline)