The country more than 42,000 barangays will celebrate the second Barangay Assembly Day this year on October 9, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced.
The department revealed that the second barangay assembly day will be part of the 25th anniversary of the Local Government Code celebration.
Proclamation 260 issued in 2011 declared the last Saturday of March and the second Sunday of October 2011 and every year thereafter as barangay assembly days.DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno said the October observance with the theme Para sa Isang Tunay na Pagbabago, Mag-MASID, Makisali at Makiisa sa Isang Maka-MASAng Asembleya, shall include the discussion of issues affecting the barangay such as the illegal drug problem, the peace and order situation, disaster preparedness and solid waste management, among others.
In a directive, Sueno enjoined barangay officials to discuss their compliance to other DILG memo circulars such as the implementation of the MASA-MASID program of the DILG or Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga, allocation of a portion of the annual budget for anti-illegal drug programs, projects and activities and strengthening of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils.
He said barangay chairmen and and their councils are expected to deliver their state of the barangay addresses and present their accomplishments and financial reports for the first semester of 2016.
Sueno also instructed barangay officials to invite members of faith-based groups within the barangay such as the Ugnayanng Barangay at Simbahan, civil society and other community organizations to attend the assembly and rally their support and involvement in project monitoring and evaluation and advocating good local governance.
Barangay officials are also directed to announce the event by hanging posters and banners in conspicuous places like the barangay hall, plaza, main streets, public market or talipapa, or transport terminals. They may also generate participation in the assembly through medical and dental missions, tyangge or bazaars and cultural presentations.
The DILG, through its National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO), spearheads the preparations for the national barangay assembly twice every year.