THE BARANGAY election is just as important as the local or national election. Perhaps even more. On the shoulders of the barangays, as the most basic administrative units in the country, rest the duty and responsibility of administering the essential services of local government units.
Barangay officials are the frontliners in delivering services to the public. Unlike other government officials or employees who report to work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., barangay officials work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Given the proximity of the barangay to homes and workplaces, barangay officials function above and beyond the normal service hours extended by the government. Yes they do! They are the go-to of their constituents any time of the day, even on unholy hours, not only in times of emergencies but even when there are petty neighborhood quarrels – even domestic (read: family/household) problems. Yes, they sacrifice their time a lot to make themselves accessible to their constituents round-the-clock, unlike most local government and national officials who entertain people who pay for their salaries and benefits only by appointment. The nerve!
It is thus important that voters not skip this day to exercise their right to choose their barangay leaders – trustworthy, hardworking, honest, accessible, and not corrupt. Because barangay officials are not mere agents of the national and local governments; they are the true representatives of the people in the grassroots. They have the duty to see to it that the desires of their constituents as expressed through the ballot box are implemented. Thus barangay leaders must have mandates through an election.
People should take this barangay election. Now go out and vote.
