THE prevalence of illegal drugs, illegal gambling, poor solid-waste management, and peace and order topped the issues and concerns raised by concerned citizens during the synchronized barangay assemblies in March, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo revealed over the weekend.
Robredo also took note that the citizens who took part in the barangay assemblies complained of having “inactive” Sangguniang Kabataan, as well as poor attendance during barangay assemblies.
Nonetheless, Robredo said the majority of the 40,000 barangays nationwide have successfully conducted their assemblies, which saw a much broader people’s participation in local governance under the Aquino administration.
Robredo said based on the initial consolidated report from the National Barangay Operations Office (NBOO) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government, a total of 34,732, or 87.85 percent, of the 39,535 barangays nationwide held their assemblies during the synchronized barangay assembly day (Sbad) held on March 26.
“This shows more active engagement between local officials and the public,” Robredo said in a press statement.
Barangay units employ their own law enforcers who play a crucial role in maintaining peace and order.
“This clearly indicates that barangay governments are now opening their doors for people participation,” Robredo said.
The conduct of the assembly day is in accordance with Proclamation 342 and the Local Government Code, which require the conduct of a barangay assembly every last Saturday of March and third Saturday of October.
During an SBAD, barangay officials are expected to present their accomplishment and financial reports to their constituents, who, in turn, raise their concerns and suggestions on how barangays could improve the delivery of essential services.
Robredo said the figure, which does not include the provinces in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), is higher by 20.3 percent than the number of barangays that held their SBAD on December 10, 2010.
“We expect the figures to go even higher once our regional and field offices have completed their report,” Robredo said.
Based on the same report, the region with the highest percentage of barangays that conducted the March 2011 SBAD was Central Visayas with 100 percent, followed by Western Visayas with 96.77 percent, and Central Luzon with 95.91 percent.
On the other hand, the Bicol, Ilocos and Caraga regions reported the lowest percentage of barangays that conducted the assembly day with 66.7 percent, 72.28 percent and 73.44 percent respectively.
