IN recognition of the importance of the participation of the country’s more than 42,000 barangays in effective governance that would deliver sound public service to the people, President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ is set to uplift government service from the core—the barangay level—that is believed would create a ripple effect up to the national level to benefit every Filipino family and individual.
Just days after his inauguration as the 17th president of the Republic, many of the plans that the former senator had enumerated and vowed to pursue and implement during the election campaign are already starting to come into fruition and among them is activating the barangays to actively participate in delivering the service that the citizenry need and deserve.
And political observers see this as one of the most significant programs that the PBBM government is set to implement—that of developing the barangays and empowering them to play a more active role in nation-building, aligned with the various plans and programs of the government to reinforce public service.
“Barangays serve as the core government units in the country, created to ensure that every Filipino can have access to government and social services, tasked to maintain the peace and order within communities, and support the national government by improving the lives of constituents.
Barangays mirror the kind of governance demonstrated by local and national agencies—expert management by a competent lead is essential,“ Marcos Jr.’s executive secretary Atty. Victor ‘Vic’ Rodriguez pointed out. Knowledgeable in terms of barangay management since he has served as barangay chief—his initial foray into public service and in fact, the youngest to hold the position at the age of 19, Rodriguez identified that one of the new chief executive’s main programs would be to improve the services of every barangay.
This, though, needs the full support of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), led by Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. and undersecretary Felicito Valmocina and to achieve this all village chiefs will be required to undergo capacity-building training, which, at present, is being implemented only in Quezon City.
“The solution therefore—increase the budget of every barangay to ensure that public service functions are carried out, crucial amid today’s trying times,” the executive secretary concluded.
