The barangay is the smallest unit and the most visible arm of the
government. Almost all people are impacted by the acts and work of the
barangay. From simple traffic altercations, public order and safety, sanitation,
health and others, the barangay is the first tier of government directly
impacting
our lives.
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| A Barangay Development Council Meeting |
Barangays are unique because they are truly a Filipino concept of community.
It is how our communities are structured and how we live our respective communities.
In some cases, the barangays are truly the conduit of the ordinary Filipino to
the powers may be. But sadly, the true value of barangays have been neglected
for the longest time.
The thirst for better and more empowered barangays have been a pipe dream
for so long. There have been attempts to bring the issues and problems of the
barangays to the halls of Congress via the party-list system, but nothing has
really been concrete, that is, until now.
It is the Punong Barangay that is on top of the situation where the Mayor
may not be available. The Punong Barangay comes in to trouble shoot and often
works tirelessly with little to almost no compensation. But still, they engage
in something that is worth their time because it is something the community involved
with.
We have to admit, the barangay is the purest form of local governance for
some people especially in far-flung areas. In some cases, people can meet their
mayors or other local government officials during campaign sorties. They may
not see these folks anytime soon until elections come around. But people
directly transact and get involved with barangay officials in matters affecting
the community.
Looking at it on the looking glass, the barangay may appear small, but taken
as a whole it can create ripples. And even those in imperial Manila can’t match
the value and impact barangays can make to the lives of ordinary people. For
some, big-time politics are but passing fancy, but the need for healthcare,
security and peace and order plus other concerns are more important. Some
people especially in the hinterlands rely on the barangays to nurture and
provide the needs.
However, providing needs can be quite a challenge for those who are leading
the barangays.
Sadly, the most direct contact of the masses to government is severely
underfunded and unappreciated. To think, the tireless officials don’t get any
remuneration, but honoraria. These people work, at times, round the clock to
settle disputes and filling in the needs of the people in times of crisis or
calamities.
Now, the game is changing. The government has started to see how the
barangay can become a great catalyst not just in powering the local government,
but to power the entire country as well.
With the extension of the barangay officials’ term as the next elections has
been re-scheduled to two years from now, we can see a continuation of programs
for the community. This means better elbow room for good barangay officials and
too long for wait for the bad ones.
The introduction of the Bottom-Up Budgeting (BUB) can be a huge thing for
cash-strapped barangays. In fact, 40 percent of the 42,000 barangays or more in
the country receives less than a million pesos in Internal Revenue Allotment
(IRA).
With less money to spend and most of which is for personnel services,
barangays are virtually ineffective in funding worthwhile projects that can
surely create a huge impact to the community.
The BUB changes the game forever, since it is opening an opportunity for
barangay leaders to pinpoint and choose the critical projects that can be of
great use and benefit to the community.
With the BUB in tow, a lot of things are about to change that will augur
well for the development and a better time for all Filipinos regardless where
they live. It is a way to deflect some funds to the remotest barangays in the
hope of expanding the growth of the country outwards and not just get stuck in
imperial Manila.
We can’t help but to be awed and excited what the new innovations can bring.
Truly this is both a magical and a challenging time for everyone working in the
barangay. The barangay is the level of the government that truly has a genuine
impact in the lives of people. It is high time to empower the barangay and make
it a truly significant segment of the government nurturing the interests of the
Filipino wherever he may be. (Bohol Tribune)
