The vital role of the barangay in nation building

Last week we witnessed the Barangay and SK elections. Generally speaking, it was an orderly and peaceful election except for some places in the south and a few scattered incidents in the rest of the country.

Until we become a more civilized and developed nation, will we only realize that life must not be threatened and wasted. Only bad and demented people kill. That means we have many bad people around fighting for power. Sadly, they are mostly politicians – our supposedly, public servants!

The military and police forces reported 34 election-related violent incidents. There were reports of rampant “vote buying” in the 2,301 declared hotspots around the country. There were also reports of missing names on the list of voters, ballot returns mistakenly taken somewhere else, too small precincts for communities with big population and the usual concerns of both the voters and the teachers helping in the polls.

When I went to my precinct to vote, I was looking for the Smartmatic machines. I thought our elections will forever be automated since its imposition last May. What is the difference between the presidential and barangay elections – aren’t they both important? I know it is a foolish thought but something to ponder on.

Anyway, as I was running through our names in the COMELEC grid of names – lo and behold, I saw my dad’s name again. He has been dead for almost four years now and his name is still there? I asked about it and they told me that I would have to go through a lot of affidavits just to get his name off the list. Surmise to say, all the dead can still vote in the Philippines! Sanamagan!

Another thing I realized that day was that I could have voted twice! My name was listed in two different precincts. And I bet if I had registered in another city, I could have voted there as well. P-Noy, better think about a national identification system soon -–lest we continue to produce more flying voters or “clones” of registered ones who don’t even look the same.

Before we reach another election, I think P-Noy should restructure the COMELEC and review the performance of the people in this office. Our country’s future will always depend on their efficient service.

I also need to admit that I did not know half of the barangay councilors I was voting for. I had no idea who they were, what they do and what they will do for the community.

I had quite a few readers who suggested to remove the barangay because they seem to overlap with the work of the city. They also formulate their own ordinances that confuse the public all the more. Then what is worse is that they collect various fees and require us to have permits for almost everything that we want to do. Aren’t these officials performing like Lilliputians? We are charged too many taxes – national and city taxes and then our little barangay also charges us through their mini permit systems. And mind you, they can easily come up with ordinances left and right. We have become a country full of laws! Susmariosep!

Now that we have our new barangay chairmen and kagawads in place, what’s next? For starters, do you have clean streets and sidewalks? Is your neighborhood safe? Is the garbage collected? Do you have public parks? Are they safe for children? Does your community have squatters? What is the barangay doing about them? Are there illegal street vendors and beggars? Are they properly turned over to authorities? Can people walk safely in the streets? Is there a fire and rescue unit? A health-clinic? A school? A barangay office you can easily have access to – or is it hidden? Do you have approachable barangay officials? Have they served your community well? Do you actually realize the role the barangay has in your locality? Do you know what you should expect from your barangay?

During the Spanish period in the Philippines, the barangay was headed by the cabeza de barangay (barangay chief) who formed part of the elite ruling class of the municipalities. The post was at first inherited from the first datus who took on the role, but then was made into an elected post after the Spanish regime. The primary job of the cabeza de barangay then was to collect taxes (called tribute) from the residents.

During the American regime, the barangay became the barrio until President Ferdinand Marcos ordered the renaming of barrios back to barangays. The cabeza de barangay became the punong barangay or the barangay captain. The municipal council was abolished upon the transfer of powers to the barangay system. After the EDSA Revolution in 1986 and the drafting of the 1987 Constitution, the Municipal Council was restored, making the barangay the smallest unit of government in Philippine politics. Political parties take advantage of the power of the barangay because of its strong influence on the grassroot level.

The present day barangay is headed by an elected official, the Punong Barangay (barangay captain), seven Barangay Councilors or Barangay Kagawad and a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairman who is considered member of the Council.

There are eight members of the legislative council. Each member heads a committee: Peace and Order Committee – responsible for the maintenance of peace and order in the community, fire prevention, traffic rules and regulations; Appropriations, Finance and Ways and Means Committee- responsible for matters related to local taxation and fiscal administration; Education Committee – responsible for the establishment of educational facilities for both formal and non-formal education; Health Committee – looks after health, sanitation or hygiene, cleanliness and beautification of the community; Agriculture Committee – spearheads the livelihood programs and activities; Tourism Committee – responsible for the promotion of local tourism through the establishment of all kinds of trade and industry; Infrastructure committee – responsible for the construction, repair and maintenance of roads, bridges and other government infrastructure projects and public works such as drainage and sewerages, flood control and protection, irrigation and water facilities and the Youth and Sports Committee – attends to matters relative to sports and youth welfare and development.

We have to remember that the powers and functions of barangay officials are significant to the development of the nation. Government programs are implemented by them. Section 384 of the Local Government Code of 1991 states that: “As the basic political unit, the barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled.”

P-Noy, in a memorandum circular issued on the subject: Guideposts in Promoting and Sustaining Barangay Good Governance, expressed his commitment to make transparency, responsiveness, accountability and honesty in governance as the strong pillars of his government to properly address poverty and eradicate graft and corruption in our midst. He asked all City and Municipal Mayors to actively engage their proponent barangays in activities for good governance and to extend to them all the necessary support for the successful implementation of their programs, projects and activities that run parallel to national government efforts at improving the lives of our people.

I hope the newly-elected barangay officials will be true to their promises of providing ways and means of improving their communities with people working hard toward a sustainable future and become productive citizens of the country.