Noy leads Barangay Assembly Day

TARLAC CITY, Philippines  - President Aquino yesterday joined barangay leaders in affirming their commitment to good governance as part of the 2010 Barangay Assembly Day nationwide.

The President led barangay chairman Edgardo Aguas and the councilmen of Barangay Central Plaza here in reciting the Panunumpa Para sa Mabuting Pamamahala Tungo sa Tuwid na Landas.

Last month, the President issued Proclamation No. 74 declaring Dec. 11, 2010 as Barangay Assembly Day. The 1991 Local Government Code requires the conduct of a barangay assembly every first Saturday of March and the third Saturday of October.

However, the scheduled barangay assembly last Oct. 16 was postponed because of its proximity to the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections last Oct. 25.

Aquino said he is happy to join the barangay leaders nationwide in the first barangay assembly under his administration. “Good governance begins in the community,” he said.

Aquino said barangay leaders must lead by example and be transparent with their programs and the financial status of the barangay.  He said barangay leaders must also quickly respond to and provide efficient service to their constituents.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo earlier issued a memorandum circular titled “Guideposts in Promoting and Sustaining Barangay Good Governance” which is aimed at making the barangays an active partner of the national government in addressing poverty and eradicating graft and corruption.                                                                             

During the assembly, Aquino announced that he will be meeting with an investor interested in putting up a garment factory in the province in the second quarter of 2011. The venture can employ 3,500 people.

Present were some 1,000 residents of the province and local officials led by Tarlac Governor Victor Yap, 2nd district Rep. Susan Yap-Sulit and city Mayor Gelacio Manalang.