When Mayor Benjamin Magalong took the reins of the city government he initially brought with him 10 core agenda that he hopes will transform the city into a better community. The original 10 core agenda are: speeding up government action, revitalizing the environment, innovating peace and order condition, aggressive traffic management, responsive education program, empowering the youth, expanding health and social services, responsible tourism, enlivened culture, arts, crafts and heritage and market modernization.
But along the way and perhaps after a careful analysis and evaluation of what the city really needs the 10 core agenda has become 15 or (as reported) 16 collective core agenda which highlights the main thrusts of the city government for the next couple of years.
The additional core agenda includes: an efficient disaster management, empowered barangay governance, expanding social services and entrepreneurial promotions, poverty reduction and resolution of issues involving ancestral lands and claims.
We take notice that among the main priorities of the city government as envisioned by Mayor Magalong and shared by his people is the core agenda of empowered barangay governance.
This is actually the more important aspect of supervising and managing a local government unit since barangays are most often than not at the forefront in the delivery of basic services to the people. In fact going by the very definition of a barangay it can already be understood that without the existence of this basic political unit any local government would find it difficult to achieve effective governance within its jurisdiction.
Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 provides in Section 384, Chapter I, TITLE I of BOOK III that, “Role of the Barangay – As the basic political unit, the barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects, and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled.
Just recently Mayor Magalong came out with an announcement that not only gave recognition to the vital role played by the barangays in the city but likewise gave impetus to the empowerment of the barangay officials in the delivery of vital services to the people of Baguio. In his statement posted in social media the Mayor said, “
”In line with our thrusts for transparency and speedy government action, we have opened all lines of communications with our office to act on all your concerns. But we have to recognize that we have an active first line of defense and offense in the form of our smallest government units, our barangays. I may be the father of the City but it is your barangay officials who are your next-of-kin. They are the pillars of your barangays and therefore your rock in times of hardship.
So before coming to me, try crying out and reaching out to them first and prove how ‘nataraki’ your barangay officials are. This is all for the best.”
Here is wisdom displayed by the top executive of the city of Baguio
March 9, 2020