The head of the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) said Friday, Sept. 23, that the group is amenable to the proposal to postpone the Dec. 5, 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) next year.
LnB national president Dr. Eden Chua Pineda said the group is open to the postponement of BSKE since many barangay officials were unable to complete their respective projects after serving as frontliners at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Humihingi po kami ng postponement sa election na ito precisely because we were not also able to implement our programs sa bawat barangay. Kasi nga po 'yung pondo pa rin ng barangay ay nai-channel po sa Covid-19 (We are requesting for the postponement of this election precisely because we were not able to implement our programs in our respective barangays. The barangay funds were channeled for the Covid-19 response efforts),” Pineda explained.
In over two and half years of the pandemic, Pineda stated that the barangay officials were unable to implement development programs and infrastructure projects in their respective areas, and they want to complete them now that the situation has improved.
The LnB chief added that she favors the proposal of some lawmakers for the term extension of barangay and SK officials up to six years from the current three years.
“It would be advantageous po kung magsi-six years tayo po kasi, 'yun nga there would be a continuity of the programs po. Kasi kung magkaka-election na naman po tayo from time to time gagastos na naman po ang gobyerno para sa BNEO, Barangay Newly-Elected Officials. There would be another cost for trainings, sa seminars for the newly-elected officials (It would be advantageous if the term of barangay officials will be extended to six years because there would be a continuity of the programs. If there are frequent elections, the government will spend again for the BNEO, Barangay Newly-Elected Officials. There would be another cost for training sessions, seminars for the newly-elected officials),’’ she stated.
Pineda also pointed out that the longer term for barangay officials will be a big boost in the development of security and peace and order measures in the community.
She noted that conflicts even among family members are common during the barangay election period since they support opposing candidates or political parties.
But some had strongly opposed the term extension of the barangay officials to six years like Quezon City barangay kagawad aspirant Jayson San Jose who insisted that it is generally counter-productive and only favors the incumbent.
“Natural lang na 'yung nakapwestong barangay opisyal pabor sa anim na taong extension ng panunungkulan. Pero aminin natin that may mga tiwaling barangay officials na sa katunayan ay nasangkot sa gusot ng social amelioration program (SAP). Sa kalaunan ang talo dito ay ang taong bayan sa mahabang panunungkulan ng mga ganid na opisyal ng barangay. Pero paglilinaw ko lang may mga tapat na barangay opisyal pero naniniwala ako na dapat ituloy pa din ang BSKE election sa takdang panahon ng Dec. 5, 2022 (It is natural for the incumbent barangay officials to favor the six-year extension of their terms. But let us admit that there are rogue barangay officials as evidenced by the involvement of some in the social amelioration program (SAP) fiasco. Eventually, the people are at the losing end with the prolonged tenure of the corrupt barangay officials. Let me make it clear that there are honest barangay officials but I still believe the BSKE election should push through as scheduled on Dec. 5, 2022),’’ San Jose insisted.