Barangay merger, abolition requires legislation

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines —  A barangay is created by legislation through the local council, thus, merger or abolition of barangays will also pass through a similar process. 

DILG-8 regional director Pedro Noval made this declaration during the Harampang (Kapihan) ha PIA  hosted by PIA-8 director Olive Tiu, in response to a query on the status of Barangay Ginsaugon in Saint Bernard town of Southern Leyte.

A deadly mudslide in 2006 virtually wiped out Guinsaugon, the territory and its people, and survivors had since been living in a relocation site belonging to Barangay Magbagacay.

The new location posed identity questions lately for the Guinsaugon residents, including concerns on management and governance by its barangay officials, an issue that cropped up in line with the October 28 barangay elections.

Noval said that last year he met with the officials of Saint Bernard LGU, and told them to pass a legislation, then conduct a referendum or a plebiscite on the matter. "But the municipal officials did not take action," he said.

The provision on the holding of  referendum or plebiscite to decide if a barangay can merge or not with another is also found in Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code, Noval said.  (FREEMAN)