March 30 is Barangay Assembly Day
By Florian Faith Jr. P. Bayawa
BUTUAN CITY, Mar. 24 (PIA) -- Slated on March 30
is the conduct of Barangay Assembly Day for all barangays across the country in
their respective jurisdiction for the first semester of this year. This is
pursuant to Proclamation No. 260, Series of 2011, which declares the last
Saturday of March and the third Saturday of October as Barangay Assembly Days.
In this connection, the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued Memorandum Circular No. 2013-23
dated March 18, 2013 for the conduct of Barangay Assembly for the first
semester of 2013 to cause its widest dissemination and to ensure the conduct of
said activity.
The institutionalization of barangay assembly
day nationwide is one of the major component programs of "Biyaheng Pinoy:
Tapat na Palakad, Bayang Maunlad" launched October 10, 2010 by the DILG.
Likewise, this is to drumbeat the celebration of the 20th year of the local
autonomy in the Philippines, and to institutionalize the norms of transparency,
responsiveness, accountability and participation at the barangay level as
stipulated in Proclamation No. 260.
As mandated by Sections 397 and 398 of the Local
Government Code of 1991, every barangay is enjoined to undertake a barangay
assembly day to hear and discuss the semestral report of the Sangguniang
Barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting
the barangay. It shall also initiate legislative processes by recommending to
the Sangguniang Barangay the adoption of measures for the welfare of the
barangay and the city or municipality concerned; decide on the adoption of
initiative as a legal process whereby the registered voters of the barangay may
directly propose, enact or amend any ordinance; and lastly, hear and pass upon
the semestral report of the Sanggunian Barangay concerning its activities and
finances.
Punong Barangays are going to deliver their
State of Barangay Address, with emphasis on: 1) C.Y. 2012 Second Semester
Accomplishments; (2) C.Y. 2012 Second Semester Financial Report to include,
among others, the Itemized Monthly Collections and Disbursement and the Summary
of Income and Expenditures; and (3) Updates on C.Y. 2013 on-going programs and
projects.
In line with the conduct of Barangay Assembly
Day, the barangays shall undertake compliance to DILG Memorandum Circular No.
2010-149 dated December 14, 2010 re: Posting of Barangay Budget, Statement of
Income and Expenditures and other Barangay Financial Transactions and Annual
Procurement Plan.
Discussions on significant issues or concerns
affecting the barangay such as, but not limited to disaster preparedness, solid
waste management, peace and order situation particularly on the proliferation
of activities pertaining to illegal drugs in the barangay are amply encouraged.
Barangay officials may also undertake other activities deemed necessary and
appropriate on that day. In addition, they are enjoined to prepare barangay
assembly posters or banners to be posted on conspicuous places in the locality.
It is further mentioned in Proclamation No. 260
that all City/Municipal Mayors are enjoined to ensure compliance and maximum
participation of all barangays in the said undertaking by conducting barangay
assemblies in their respective jurisdiction. In so doing, they are tasked to
post or hang the barangay assembly posters or banners in various conspicuous
places.
Barangay Officials who failed to conduct a
barangay assembly may face administrative case from a complaint filed by any
resident of the barangay, concerned citizen, governmental or non-governmental
entity before the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan concerned
pursuant to Administrative Order No. 07, otherwise known as “Rules of Procedure
of the Office of the Ombudsman” dated April 10, 1990. (DILG-13/PIA-Caraga)
