(This was originally written on the 6th of October 2013 in Manila, about three weeks before the barangay elections that time. I found this article together with all my other files in an old USB. I edited several words to fit in time).
Barangay elections give me time to reflect on the significance of barangay governance as a substantial foundation of leadership in our present-day society. The barangay government is the cornerstone of government leadership and management. The “barangay”, as the basic political unit of our society, has the most significant role in nation-building and community development. Nevertheless, such role and potential is usually untapped and taken for granted in the standpoint of local development en route for a greater national advancement.
Development should be viewed in the stance of micro-level towards the macro-level perspective, a philosophy of natural development from the embryo to a well-grown organism – a development in a centrifugal configuration instead of centripetal pattern. Nonetheless, as different terms were used in the past, there is only one thing in common when it comes to their role; barangay has the greatest role in the development of the community since it has the grasp of what the particular group of people needs. In a nutshell, it has a direct link and contact with the grassroots – its own people in the countryside.
Hence, barangay is a baseline community where collective views of people were culled out from their own experiences and needs which might be best catalysts for development process in their very own locality.
The Role of the Barangay. Local Government Code of the Philippines or the Republic Act (R.A.) 7160 of 1991 states the role of the Barangay (Section 385): as the basic political unit, the Barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystalized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled.
In view of the above role, it could be emulated that development plans must be based in this level as the much uncomplicated political unit of our society whilst expounding its enormity for developmental course. Also, as the basic implementing unit of the government, it is equitable that barangays should have the best leaders the country must have to discharge such great undertakings. Barangays are the best venue to disseminate information of national concerns such as laws affecting particular locality and the citizenry. Laws might be converted to local ordinances as the best approach and avenue to educate the public and gauge the level of responsiveness of the community.
Invest with our Barangay Leaders. The government must invest in giving proper trainings to our barangay leaders to tap their skills and potentials, capabilities and competencies as partners of the government in the national development goal. Training program must suit the needs of the specific locality particularly in the countryside. It is noteworthy that planning is a critical stage of social development processes that must be taken seriously. Barangay resources might be exploited and corruptions in any form might emerge given the fact that the Punong-Barangay (Barangay Captain) has the triune function as the executive, legislative and judicial head of the community.
Barefooted principle of leadership is sensible as barangay leaders are grounded or have direct contact with their constituents. Barangay must be the training ground for service excellence and not a hub for corrupt practices. The government must intensify project and budget management trainings to our barangay leaders to be efficient and competent agents of social development on the road to national progress.
IRA of the Barangay and the PDAF. The internal revenue allotment (IRA) is the main source of the barangay budget. It was based on the 40% of the national internal revenue taxes as Bureau of Internal Revenue submits certification of collections to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). From that portion, only 20% is allotted for barangays, computed based on population, land area and equal sharing. Basically, this allotment is being released every quarter of the year. Nonetheless, its annual and supplemental budget is being steered by the barangay budgetary system guide.
In the contrary, the known pork barrel, Countryside Development Fund (CDF) in the time of the late President Corazon C. Aquino, renamed as the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) during the administration of former President Joseph E. Estrada, has its noble purpose for the development of the poor communities in the countryside. However, in the course of financial flow to the beneficiary-communities, an excruciating reality about its distribution was unveiled. Billions of pesos through this fund were misused and wasted in spite of the deafening call for the needs of basic social services in the rural communities. This only means that, PDAF did not serve its purpose because of the corrupt practices and conspiracy of the chosen leaders who claimed to be advocates of the Filipino wellbeing.
Truthfully, lawmakers must be wary of their function as legislators and not executives of government projects and programs. The PDAF and other funds intended for local development, however, must be channeled to the barangays to finance projects and social services having direct beneficial impact to barangay constituents.
Barangay Election. Again and again, a test of our credibility as conscientious citizens to select the best aspirants to lead us, not to manipulate us. Our right to suffrage, as a practice of democracy, stretches our favor to those who deserves the trust of the community, gives us freedom to choose those who really has the heart for the common “tao”, has the courage to render social services among their constituents and uphold the democratic way of life.
There are about 42,028 barangays in the entire country based on the records of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). This number also construe with the number of the Punong-Barangays around the country, the bloodline of the Philippine political leadership which should espouse egalitarianism. The total number of our barangay leaders is a great force to take part in the actualization of the social reform and development the country envisions.
Challenges and Opportunities. The greatest challenge for our people, all over again, is to judiciously elect leaders with great potentials to lead and to serve with passion, sincerity and integrity. Barangay constituents must learn to treasure one’s vote rationalizing of what we wanted for our nation. It starts from this simple yet significant election process. This entails our decision – a choice of what future we sought to be.
On the other hand, empowering our barangay government and recognizing its greatest role in the local governance and inclusiveness in social development process, an enormous stride in the national development program could be achieved. As barangays are irrefutable bloodlines for efficient channeling of basic social services, it is evenhanded too, fully equip our leaders in the forefront of leadership and portal of good governance. This would be both a challenge and an opportunity for our people and present leaders to ponder.
The InsighTalk 
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog
and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope
you write again very soon!
LikeLike
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
I am quite certain I’ll learn many new stuff right
here! Best of luck for the next!
LikeLike
Great work! That is the kind of info that are meant to be
shared across the web. Shame on Google for now not positioning this put up upper!
Come on over and visit my website . Thank you =)
LikeLike
I always spent my half an hour to read this weblog’s
posts all the time along with a mug of coffee.
LikeLike
This piece of writing offers clear idea designed
for the new viewers of blogging, that genuinely how to do blogging and site-building.
LikeLike
I was suggested this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such
detailed about my problem. You’re amazing! Thanks!
LikeLike
Incredible points. Great arguments. Keep up the good spirit.
LikeLike
Link exchange is nothing else except it is just placing the other person’s webpage link on your page at
proper place and other person will also do similar in favor of you.
LikeLike
What’s up, after reading this amazing piece of writing i am as well
cheerful to share my familiarity here with mates.
LikeLike
I know this site offers quality based posts and additional stuff, is there any
other web page which presents these kinds of things in quality?
LikeLike
Do you have a spam problem on this website; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; we have
created some nice practices and we are looking to swap strategies with other folks, please shoot me an email if interested.
LikeLike
I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did
you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from.
thanks
LikeLike
Wow, this piece of writing is nice, my sister is analyzing such things,
so I am going to inform her.
LikeLike
I’d like to find out more? I’d want to find out more details.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing such a nice thinking, piece of writing is good, thats why i have read it fully
LikeLike
If you wish for to obtain much from this post then you have to apply
such strategies to your won weblog.
LikeLike
Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to her
ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic
but I had to tell someone!
LikeLike
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest
but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back down the road.
Many thanks
LikeLike
Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to come back yet again since I bookmarked it.
Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.
LikeLike
I feel that is one of the so much significant information for
me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should commentary on some general issues, The web site taste is perfect,
the articles is truly excellent : D. Excellent job, cheers
LikeLike
What’s up, I wish for to subscribe for this blog to get newest updates, so where
can i do it please assist.
LikeLike
Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from
somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand
out. Please let me know where you got your
design. Bless you
LikeLike
Asking questions are actually nice thing if you are not understanding anything fully, except this
paragraph offers fastidious understanding yet.
LikeLike
I’m really enjoying the theme/design of your website.
Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems?
A couple of my blog readers have complained about my website not operating
correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have
any advice to help fix this problem?
LikeLike
Hey there! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any problems with hackers?
My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of
hard work due to no data backup. Do you have any solutions
to protect against hackers?
LikeLike
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing troubles with your RSS.
I don’t know the reason why I cannot join it.
Is there anyone else getting identical RSS issues?
Anyone who knows the solution can you kindly respond?
Thanks!!
LikeLike
It’s very simple to find out any matter on net as compared to books, as I found this piece of writing
at this site.
LikeLike
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying
to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
If you know of any please share. Many thanks!
LikeLike
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article.
I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to read
more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
I’ll certainly comeback.
LikeLike
Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will return yet
again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may
you be rich and continue to help other people.
LikeLike
We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community.
Your web site offered us with valuable information to work
on. You have performed a formidable job and our entire group will probably be
grateful to you.
LikeLike
Highly descriptive post, I loved that a lot. Will there be a
part 2?
LikeLike
Excellent beat ! I would like to apprentice while you
amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site?
The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit
acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
LikeLike
It’s not my first time to pay a visit this web page, i am
visiting this website dailly and take pleasant information from here everyday.
LikeLike
I’m curious to find out what blog platform you have been utilizing?
I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest site and
I would like to find something more safeguarded.
Do you have any recommendations?
LikeLike
Helpful info. Fortunate me I discovered your site unintentionally, and I’m surprised why this twist of fate didn’t took place earlier!
I bookmarked it.
LikeLike
Very rapidly this website will be famous among all blogging and site-building visitors, due to
it’s pleasant articles or reviews
LikeLike
You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I in finding
this topic to be really one thing that I think I might by no
means understand. It sort of feels too complex and extremely large for me.
I am having a look forward to your subsequent put up, I’ll try to get the hold of it!
LikeLike
Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your article seem to be running off
the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with
browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let you know.
The design and style look great though! Hope you get the issue fixed soon.
Kudos
LikeLike
Everything is very open with a very clear description of
the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is useful.
Thank you for sharing!
LikeLike
I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering problems
with your site. It appears as though some of the written text within your
posts are running off the screen. Can someone else please comment
and let me know if this is happening to them too?
This might be a problem with my browser because I’ve had
this happen previously. Cheers
LikeLike
Today, I went to the beach front with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter
and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to
her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off
topic but I had to tell someone!
LikeLike
What’s up i am kavin, its my first occasion to
commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also make comment due
to this good paragraph.
LikeLike
I love reading through a post that will make
men and women think. Also, many thanks for allowing me to comment!
LikeLike
Fantastic beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i
subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal.
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
LikeLike
Usually I don’t read article on blogs, however I would like to say that this write-up
very compelled me to check out and do it! Your writing style has been surprised
me. Thanks, very great post.
LikeLike
My partner and I stumbled over here from a different website and
thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now
i’m following you. Look forward to looking into your
web page yet again.
LikeLike
I don’t know if it’s just me or if everybody else encountering problems
with your website. It looks like some of the text within your content are running off the screen. Can someone else please provide
feedback and let me know if this is happening to them
as well? This might be a issue with my browser because I’ve
had this happen before. Kudos
LikeLike
Great article! This is the type of info that are supposed to be shared around the internet.
Disgrace on the seek engines for not positioning this publish higher!
Come on over and discuss with my site . Thanks =)
LikeLike
Superb, what a website it is! This website gives valuable information to us,
keep it up.
LikeLike