Suenoand Conduct Barangay Assembly Day on March 25, or face sanction

MANILA -- All 42,036 barangays nationwide should conduct a Barangay Assembly Day on March 25 for the first semester of 2017, according to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).DILG Secretary Ismael ‘Mike’ D. Sueno said that the conduct of Barangay Assembly Day is mandatory as required in Section 397 of the Local Government Code (LGC) or Republic Act (RA) No. 7160 to give residents the opportunity to hear and discuss with barangay officials the developments and concerns in their community.Twice a year, the Department issues a memorandum circular for the conduct of Barangay Assembly every last Saturday of March and second Sunday of October. A Barangay Assembly forms part of our democratic governance down to the barangay-level by ensuring a venue for the governed sovereign Filipino masses and the barangay government to hear and discuss the semestral report of the barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay, said Sueno.He reminded barangay officials that a corresponding administrative complaint against them may be filed if they fail to conduct a Barangay Assembly.A complaint may be filed by any resident of a barangay, concerned citizen, and government or non-government entity before the sangguniang panlungsod or sangguniang bayan concerned pursuant to Section 61 of the LGC or to the Office of the Ombudsman. In the October 2016 Barangay Assembly Day, 40,017 barangays in the country reported to have conducted the Assembly. It is hoped that this March 2017, we can increase compliance and more importantly, the quality of discussion on barangay activities, finances and problems affecting residents, he said.The DILG Secretary enjoined barangays to undertake appropriate activities to create public awareness on, and generate participation in, the Barangay Assembly, such as but not limited to medical or dental missions, and cultural presentations.He also directed barangay officials to post or hang Barangay Assembly posters or banners in conspicuous places in the barangay like the barangay hall, plaza, main street, transport terminals, and market or talipapa.The LGC states that there shall be a Barangay Assembly composed of all persons who are actual residents of the barangay for at least six months, 15 years of age or over, citizens of the Philippines, and duly registered in the list of barangay assembly members.The theme of the incoming Barangay Assembly Day for the first semester of 2017 is Sulong Barangay Kontra Droga, Krimen at Katiwalianand Makialam! Makilahok! Makiisa!