Amid deliberations over the postponement of the barangay elections and the possible holdover of incumbent barangay officials, the Department of the Interior and Local Government on Friday reminded the village chiefs to conduct their barangay assembly on Oct. 8 or face sanctions.
“Barangay officials who fail to conduct a barangay assembly may face corresponding administrative complaints, which can be filed by any resident of the barangay, concerned citizen, governmental or non-governmental entity before the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan concerned,” DILG Officer-in-Charge Catalino S. Cuy said in a memorandum circular to barangay chairmen nationwide.
Cuy said residents should not be afraid to report the absence of barangay assemblies to higher authorities because “it is a legal action pursuant to Section 61 of Republic Act No. 7160 or Local Government Code, and to Administrative Order No. 07 or the Rules of Procedure of the Office of the Ombudsman.”
City and municipal mayors are likewise on the hook, as Cuy ordered them to ensure compliance and maximum participation of all barangay officials in their respective jurisdictions.
The Local Government Code mandates that the barangay assembly “shall meet 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.”
According to the DILG National Barangay Operations Office, the theme of the barangay assembly day for the second semester of the year is “Nagkakaisang Barangay: Lakas ng Kampanya Kontra sa Iligal na Droga, Krimen at Katiwalian. Makiisa! Makilahok! Makialam! (A united barangay, showing strength in the campaign against illegal drugs, crime and corruption; Unite, participate, get involved!)”
To showcase well-performing barangays in line with the theme, the DILG has directed mayors nationwide to identify one barangay in their respective jurisdictions that has revitalized Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, particularly those with Committees on Operations and Advocacy and a Badac Auxiliary Team.
These outstanding barangays must have also established Masa Masid (Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga) teams and have allocated a substantial portion of their annual budget for anti-illegal drugs programs, projects and activities.
In addition, they ought to have organized house clusters, established a Rehabilitation Referral Desk with designated duty officer, and are not included in the list of drug affected barangays of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
The names of the “showcase barangays” should be submitted to the NBOO not later than Sept.30, Cuy said.