March 26 is Barangay Assembly Day

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered all barangay captains to be prepared for their synchronized Barangay Assembly Day to be conducted on March 26 for them to inform their constituents of what they have done the previous year.

Section 397 (b) of the Local Government Code provides that all barangay captains are required to conduct Barangay Assembly Day twice a year so they could report directly to their constituents their activities and finances as well as problems affecting their barangays.

DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo, in a memorandum to all provincial governors and mayors, reminded the barangay captains that Proclamation No. 342 declared the last Saturday of March and third Saturday of October every year as the Barangay Assembly Days.

Robredo reminded the barangay captains that the law provides that they should post notices in different places of the barangays informing their constituents about the forthcoming barangay assembly day.

The Local Government Code states that written notices for the barangay assembly is required and notice with the use of megaphone or amplifier is not enough to inform the constituents.

The law, however, does not require individual written notices because this would be expensive.

During the barangay assembly, the constituents can initiate legislative processes by recommending to the Barangay Council the adoption of certain measures for the welfare of the barangay and the city or municipality.

People in the barangay may also recommend for the amendment of any local ordinance and to suggest ideas in reaction to the report of their barangay captains during the barangay assembly day.

Robredo suggested topics for discussion the financial reports and implementation of laws against illegal gambling, drugs and others.

But the the DILG Secretary said the barangay captains should also give more priority to the issue on solid waste management.

The barangay assembly “is a manifestation of people’s power and is an example of a truly participatory democracy where the people meet with full freedom to offer and discuss their ideas without being afraid of suppression or dictation,” says Robredo.

As for barangay captains who fail to conduct barangay assembly day on March 26, Robredo encourages anybody to file complaints against the officials concerned before the city or municipal council. — (FREEMAN)