CV barangay officials lauded for holding assemblies

CEBU, Philippines - Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo lauded the barangay officials in Central Visayas for having conducted their respective barangay assembly in the first quarter of the year.

Robredo said, based on the reports that reached his office, 100-percent of the barangays in Central Visayas conducted the Sangguniang Barangay Assembly Day on March 26. It is followed by Western Visayas with 96.7 percent and Central Luzon with 95.9-percent.

According to Robredo, the Bicol Region, Ilocos Region and Caraga Region in Northern Mindanao have the lowest percentage.

Robredo said the common problem that the residents raised during the barangay assembly were the prevalence of illegal drugs and illegal gambling, poor implementation of solid waste management, peace and order and inactive Sangguniang Kabataan officials.

Although Central Visayas has the highest percentage of barangays holding assemblies, but it was lamentable that only a few of the residents participated.

Robredo said the records show that a total of 34,732 of the 39,535 barangays nationwide have conducted their barangay assemblies during the first quarter of the year.

The holding of assembly day in the barangay is in accordance with Proclamation No. 342 and the Local Government Code which require the conduct of a barangay assembly every last Saturday of March and third Saturday of October.

Robredo encouraged the barangay officials to continue to work hard to consult their constituents to know their needs. (FREEMAN)