The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) supports the proposal of an election watchdog to require candidates of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to submit at least a one-page resumé.
DILG Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya says the recommendation of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) will complement the ongoing campaign of the Department for the election of Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahang Barangay and SK officials.
The DILG is now in the thick of preparations for a peaceful and orderly Barangay and SK elections set in May of this year. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque and Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III had earlier doused speculations that the Barangay elections would be postponed for a third time.
“Sang-ayon kami sa panukala ng NAMFREL dahil ang halalan ay hindi isang laro na kahit sino na lang ay puwedeng sumali. Dapat masukat natin ang kakayanang maglingkod ng bawat kandidatong tatakbo sa eleksyon,” says Malaya.
NAMFREL has urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to compel candidates to submit their one-page resumé highlighting their suitability for the position.
Malaya says he hopes that the Comelec will consider the merits of NAMFREL’s proposal in installing competent leaders in barangays and improving overall barangay governance.
“Sa level ng barangay nararamdaman ng mga mamamayan ang malasakit at pagkalinga ng gobyerno kaya mahalaga na busisiin natin ang kakayahan at motibasyon ng sinumang nagnanais na mamuno sa barangay,” he says.
“Mahalagang malaman natin ano ang motibasyon ng ating mga kandidato sa pagtakbo. Isang maling boto, tatlong taon na nasayang na serbisyo ang katapat nito kaya dapat maging mapanuri tayo sa paghalal ng Barangay Chairperson, Kagawad at maging sa SK,” he adds.
Matino, mahusay at maaasahan
Last month, the DILG under the leadership of OIC- Secretary Eduardo M. Año launched its campaign for Matino, Mahusay at Maaasahang Barangay and SK officials to encourage the public to choose leaders who possess these three basic qualities that are important to carry out meaningful peace and development initiatives in the communities.
According to Malaya, a barangay and SK official who is ‘Matino’ exhibits the following traits: hindi “corrupt” at lumalaban sa katiwalian; lumaban at lumalaban sa iligal na droga; tapat sa serbisyo at bukas sa publiko; magaling at may disiplina; at walang kaugnayan sa masasamang tao o grupo.
For a ‘Mahusay’ candidate – may platapormang pangkaunlaran at pangkapayapaan; huwaran at modelo ng kanyang mga kabarangay; sumusunod sa mga alituntunin ng pamahalaan at ng komunidad; maayos makitungo sa mga kabarangay; at may patas na pagtingin sa iba’t ibang problema sa barangay.
While for a ‘Maaasahan’ candidate DILG identifies the following: maalam at may kakayahan sa pagpaplano; alistong tumutulong sa panahon ng sakuna; nagmamalasakit sa kapwa; madaling malapitan sa oras ng pangangailangan; at subok sa pagtulong sa pagpapanatili ng kapayapaan at kaayusan.
He says that the government needs good Barangay leaders who will bring the Duterte administration’s agenda of change to the Barangay level.
