Village chief: Participation vital in governance

CEBU, Philippines – While much is expected from the part of the government in the crusade on good governance, the village chief of Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City deems people's participation vital to achieving the same.

In an interview, Barangay Captain Leo Jabas said the involvement of the residents in Barangay Canduman in the campaign to intensify the clean and green program, maintain peace and order and other activities to benefit them is being adopted by the barangay officials.

Jabas, adjudged Most Outstanding Punong Barangay in Mandaue City for several years now, admitted that the award was given to him because of the people's full support to his administration.

Jabas said he adopts a consultative approach with the residents in the barangay when he introduces projects for implementation.

According to Jabas, if the people properly consulted and involve in the implementation of the projects no one will oppose in the future.

For example, he cited the case of the barangay clean and green program whose success, according to him, is because of the support of the people.

He said in other barangays dumping of garbage is the big problem but in Barangay Canduman, residents assist the barangay in monitoring those from other areas who don't dump their wastes in designated places.

Barangay Canduman is one of the producers of organic fertilizer in Mandaue City.

Jabas likewise claimed that providing alternative livelihood to residents in the different sitios is also one of his priorities.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes earlier lauded Jabas' contribution to the economic development of the city.

The mayor also acknowledged Jabas for his efforts on strengthening the clean and green program.

Barangay Canduman also actively participated in addressing the problem of pollution of the Butuanon River.