By PRINCE GOLEZ
Manila Reporter
MANILA — Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III wanted to extend the term of barangay officials from three years to six years.
Guingona filed Senate Bill No. 2390 encouraging barangay officials to pursue long-term goals and see them materialize.
“Barangay officials are closest to the people and they deliver the most basic services to their specific neighborhoods,” he said.
According to Guingona, three years is not enough for officials to roll out necessary reforms in the barangays.
Extending the term of barangay officials to six years will minimize, if not eliminate, “political interference on the ground level,” he said.
Section 1 of the measure, however, prohibits barangay officials from serving two consecutive terms in the same position.
Guingona said his proposal also seeks to maximize disaster risk and reduction and other training programs for barangay officials and to save public funds.
“Barangay officials are not just called to serve but to lead,” he said. “Like all government officials, they should do their job not only competently but also with integrity.”/PN
