CEBU, Philippines – Officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government in Cebu have reminded all barangay captains that they are required to conduct Barangay Assembly on October 12, 2014.
DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2014-100 enjoins all city and municipal mayors to ensure compliance and maximum participation of all barangays in the conduct of the synchronized barangay assembly and to post and hang posters or banners in conspicuous places to promote public awareness.
Section 3 of Republic Act 7160 or The Local Government Code of 1991, as amended, states that, "Effective mechanisms for ensuring the accountability of local government units to their respective constituents shall be strengthened in order to upgrade continually the quality of local leadership."
DILG-Cebu Provincial Officer Jerome Gonzalez said city and municipal local government officers have been tasked to relay the memorandum to all barangays in the province.
The barangay assembly gives avenue for barangay officials to report their accomplishments and, at the same time, consult the residents on the priority projects they want to be implemented next year.
It is also an avenue for the barangay residents to air complaints or suggest and recommend action for the people's well-being and the betterment.
Barangay officials are also mandated to discuss issues of concerns that affect the barangay like disaster preparedness, solid waste management, illegal drugs, human trafficking and the implementation of existing laws and ordinances.
To stress the importance, gravity, and essential nature of this activity, current regulations permit any resident of the barangay, a concerned citizen, a governmental organization or an NGO to file an administrative complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman, the local Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council), or the Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Council) against officials of the barangay who fail to convene the Barangay Assembly as directed.
In Mandaue City, Ernie Manatad, barangay captain of Subangdaku and president of the Association of Barangay Councils, said all 26 barangay captains in the city have already been informed of the scheduled barangay assembly.