DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Department of Interior and Local Government in Davao Region (DILG-11) has reminded local officials to conduct their Barangay Assembly or State of Barangay Address (SOBA) starting March 2019.
DILG-11 said barangay officials are mandated to conduct SOBAs after they assumed their post on June 30 last year.
DILG-11 regional director Alex Roldan said local executives must follow the law which states: “There shall be a barangay assembly composed of all persons who are actual residents of the barangay” to report for their “significant accomplishments and plans.”
Roldan emphasized that “the law requires that there shall be a Barangay Assembly every March and October annually as mandated by Section 397 of the Local Government Code of 1991 or the Republic Act No. 7160.”
The conduct of barangay assemblies are proper and good venues to present to constituencies achievements and future plans, he added.
“People can also air their sentiments and do some dialogues,” Roldan said.
The central leadership of the DILG has also made a call to all barangay executives to facilitate the conducts of SOBAs in their respective localities.
In a statement posted at DILG’s website, Secretary Eduardo M. Año reminded barangay executives on their role and responsibilities in their respective barangays.
Año also reiterated the provisions in a Memorandum Circular (MC) of the agency that mandates the conduct of Barangay Assembly Day every semester.
President Rodrigo Duterte also signed Proclamation No. 599 declaring Saturdays and Sundays of March and October of every year as Barangay Assembly Days.
“Barangay executives are urged to discuss barangay compliance on national laws and issuances such as the functionality of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACS), the segregation and collection of solid wastes, the creation of Barangay Ecological Solid Waste Management Committee (BESWMC), the observance of Barangay Full Disclosure Policy, and the registration of domestic workers in the Registry of Domestic Workers in the barangay as ordered by Batas Kasambahay,” the proclamation mandates.
Moreover, barangay chiefs are encouraged to report on the constitution and organization of barangay-based institutions namely the Barangay Development Council (BDC), Barangay Peace and Order Committee (BPOC), Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction Management Committee, Lupong Tagapamayapa, Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC), and Violence against Women (VAW) Desk.
A barangay executive who fails to hold barangay assembly will be facing serious offense and administrative case, said Louie Limbaro, the DILG legal officer of the region.
“There will be no reason for barangay executive not to hold barangay assembly as it is mandated under the law,” Limbaro said.
In Davao City, Roldan said 100 percent of barangay executives have already performed their own barangay assemblies last year. (davaotoday.com)
