ILOILO City – Despite the threat of coronavirus disease 2019, holding barangay assemblies this month is a must, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region 6.
All barangay councils were advised to schedule their assemblies on weekends.
Memorandum Circular 2021-025 issued on Feb. 19, 2021 set the guidelines for the conduct of barangay assemblies in the first semester of 2021, according to DILG-6’s Local Government Operations Officer Charmagne Lyle Matta.
“Barangay assemblies are important. They are venues to promote accountability, transparency and interaction between and among barangay officials and residents,” said Matta.
Face-to-face barangay assemblies may be conducted in areas without COVID-19 concerns, but still taking into consideration quarantine protocols pertaining to mass gatherings.
Matta also said assemblies may be allowed in barangays under modified and general community quarantine classification or in barangays where no community quarantine is imposed.
Just like last year, a barangay assembly may be conducted through the following modes:
* utilizing the online video-teleconferencing or social media platforms, particularly via Zoom or Facebook
* distribution of flyers, leaflets or similar materials within the barangay; these materials must contain the financial report of the barangay, accomplishments, ongoing projects, and pandemic initiatives, among others
* rekoreda, mobile announcement or radio guesting, whenever applicable
This year’s theme is, “BarangaYYan: Barangay at Mamamayan, Sama-sama at Mag-kaisa Upang Labanan ang Pandemya Tungo sa Isang Ligtas, Maayos at Maunlad na Pamayanan.”
Even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year, 95 percent of barangays in Western Visayas conducted assemblies, Matta revealed.
Barangays which were not able to conduct assemblies were given a chance to hold them beyond March.
Administrative complaints against barangay officials who fail to conduct barangay assemblies may be filed by any resident of the barangay, concerned citizens, governmental- or non-governmental entity before the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan concerned.
Also, a show-cause order would be issued to all concerned punong barangays.
ACTIVITIES, ISSUES TO TACKLE
Matta said the barangays were given activities of the day for the assembly.
This includes the State of Barangay Address (SOBA), highlighting accomplishments and the financial report for the second semester of 2020; plans, programs and projects for 2021; newly-enacted barangay ordinances; and planned activities to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Barangay officials are also encouraged to inform their constituents and discuss with them of other national laws and issuances
These included the following:
* DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) 2020-172 dated Dec.11 2021, fortifying the capacities of Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERTs) through online webinar series, talakayan and awareness raising;
* DILG MC No. 2020-128 dated Sept. 30, 2020, which mandates the barangay councils to issue barangay certification free of charge to qualified first time jobseekers pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 11261, otherwise known as the “First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR);
* RA 9003 or Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, which mandates the barangay on the segregation and collection of solid wastes and the creation of Barangay Ecological Waste Management Committee (BESWMC);
* DILG MC No. 2020-047 dated Feb. 27, 2020, updating on the functionality indicators, rules and responsibilities and monitoring guidelines of Barangay Peace and Order Committee (BPOC);
* DILG Advisory dated Sept. 25, 2019, detailing measures to control the spread of African swine fever (ASF) and advisory dated Nov. 20, 2020, citing strengthened measure to mitigate effects of ASF;
*DILG-DDB Joint Memorandum Circular 2018-01, pertaining to the functionality of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs);
* discuss issues and concerns affecting the barangay, such as but not limited to peace and order and public safety, disaster preparedness and solid waste management
Likewise, the barangays are encouraged to provide their constituents with information and reminders on COVID-19 related health practices and protocols; report on the implementation of the Social Amelioration Program/Emergency Cash Subsidy Program in the barangay; and discuss issues and concerns affecting the barangay especially COVID-19 related issues./PN
