Barangay officials are urged as early as now to drumbeat public awareness and generate participation of their constituents to the upcoming Barangay Assembly in all 42,044 barangays in the country on October 14.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) OIC-Secretary Eduardo M. Año enjoins barangays to utilize the social media, particularly Facebook and Twitter, to inform and remind the residents of the activity.
“Social media is far-reaching and nowadays most Filipinos get news and public advisory online. Use this platform as we now embrace e-governance,” he says.
The DILG Chief also urges the public to attend Barangay Assembly in their communities as their “right and responsibility.”
The conduct of Barangay Assembly is mandated by Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code which states that it should be conducted “at least twice a year to hear and discuss the semestral report of the barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay.”
Año reminds that barangay officials’ failure to conduct Barangay Assembly can be a case for administrative complaint that may be filed by a concerned citizen or governmental or non-governmental entity before the sangguniang panlungsod or sangguniang bayan or to the Office of the Ombudsman.
“To the public, make use of your right to have an interface with your barangay officials on issues that affect your community. To barangay officials, ensure maximum participation and meaningful discussion with your constituents,” he says.
Aside from using social media, Año encourages barangays to do medical or dental mission and cultural presentations to garner higher attendance in Barangay Assembly.
Barangay executives are also told to post or hang Barangay Assembly posters or banners in conspicuous places in the barangay like the barangay hall, plaza, main streets, transport terminals and market or talipapa.
As for DILG field officers, Año directed them to urge barangays to live stream their Barangay Assembly through Facebook Live and post pictures and videos of the assembly in various social media platforms such asFacebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #barangayassembly2018 on October 14.
Recognizing exemplary barangays
Meanwhile, DILG Spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Jonathan E. Malaya, disclosed that the Department through its National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO) will be showcasing exemplary barangays.
DILG field offices have been directed to identify before October 5 a barangay in their jurisdiction that is not included in the list of drug affected barangays of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and has created or reorganized its Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC).
Its BADAC must particularly have a Committee on Operations and Advocacy and an Auxiliary Team. It should have also allocated a substantial portion of barangay’s annual budget for anti-illegal drugs programs, projects and activities. It must have established Referral Rehabilitation Desk with a designated duty officer.
“The DILG recognizes that in the exercise of general supervision over local governments, acknowledgment of good performing local government units have a multiplying and motivational effect for others to do the same or do better,” Malaya says.
The theme of the Barangay Assembly on October 14 is “Nagkakaisang komunidad tungo sa Mapayapa, Maunlad at Matiwasay na Barangay!”
Barangay Assembly is held every last Saturday of March and second Sunday of October as per Proclamation No. 260. —DILGCO