Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos, Jr. prodded the country’s 42,046 barangay captains to enforce schemes that will convince their constituents to be fully-vaccinated and receive booster shots against Covid-19.
He made the call as the Covid-19 vaccines and booster shots are available in the conduct of the Barangay Assembly Days for the 2022 second semester scheduled on any weekends in October.
“We call on the punong barangays (PBs) and other officials to fulfill their mandate and conduct Barangay Assembly Days. I hope the barangays use this opportunity to talk to their constituents and encourage them to be vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19,” Abalos said.
“Use this as an avenue to inform your constituents of the undertakings and accomplishments of your barangays and discuss issues and concerns and plans for the future,” he added.
Abalos said PBs must take advantage of the Barangay Assembly to discuss the advantages of getting boosted and vaccinated against Covid-19 and invite the citizens to partake in the government vaccination campaigns such as ‘PinasLakas.’
The DILG chief also stressed that the PBs must inform the public that Covid-19 booster shots are now accessible in their workplace, transportation terminals and drugstores, among others.
As of Oct. 11, 2022, Department of Health (DOH) records showed that 20,195,895 Filipinos have been administered with the Covid-19 booster shots while 73,342,216 have complete initial vaccination status and 70,756,003 had their first doses.
Abalos reminded PBs to hold Barangay Assembly Days as they are mandated by the law to ensure the conduct of such saying that this may be conducted through face-to-face, online, or blended modes.
The Local Government Code and Proclamation No. 599, series of 2018 state that barangays are required to conduct barangay assembly for each semester of the year on any of the Saturdays or Sundays of March and October to hear and discuss the semestral report of the Sangguniang Barangay concerning its activities, finances and issues.
For the second semester of 2022, the Barangay Assembly Day theme is “Barangayanihan: Barangay at Mamamayan Sama-sama sa Pagtaguyod ng Bayanihan Tungo sa Mas Ligtas at Maunlad na Pamayanan,” which is in line with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr.’s call for unity in community-building.
In DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) 2022-131, Abalos prompted the barangays to provide the necessary written notice and disseminate communication materials such as posters or banners to raise awareness and encourage residents to participate in the Barangay Assembly Day.
“This assembly is for our people to know the state of the community so it is important to engage your constituents and encourage them to vent out their concerns and problems in order for us in the government to be able to address it,” Abalos noted.
Abalos stated that the barangay captains, Sangguniang Barangay members, barangay tanods and other barangay officials shall ensure that the set measures along with Executive Order No. 03, which allows the voluntary wearing of face masks in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation, are observed.
“Para sa ating mga senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals at mga hindi pa fully vaccinated (For our senior citizens, immunocompromised individuals and those not fully vaccinated), we highly urge you to continue wearing your face masks and observe physical distancing at all times to ensure the safety of all participants of the activity,” Abalos said.
He added that attendees should continue to wear face masks in indoor private or public establishments and in indoor settings where physical distancing cannot be observed.
Further, Abalos stated that the barangay captains or the highest ranking Sangguniang Barangay member or designated barangay official should deliver the State of Barangay Address (SOBA) including the accomplishments and financial report for the 1st semester of 2022, updates on the 2022 Programs, Projects and Activities (PPAs), newly-enacted barangay ordinances and resolutions, the ongoing projects aimed at COVID-19 prevention and control and status of vaccination.
During the assembly, Abalos said the barangay must discuss Executive Order No. 03; Sangguniang Kabataan financial and physical accomplishment report for the 1st semester of 2022; status of Barangay Financial Documents, BDRRMC-related accomplishments; anti-illegal drug initiatives, BADAC accomplishments; women, children, GAD or VAW-related accomplishments; and status of compliance on the National Tree Planting Activity, among others.
He also warned that barangays which would fail to comply with the directive to hold the assembly could result in sanctions in accordance with Section 61 of the Local Government Code of 1991.
“Barangay officials who fail to conduct a Barangay Assembly Day may face corresponding administrative complaints, which can be filed by any resident of the barangay, concerned citizen, governmental or non-governmental entity before the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan concerned,” Abalos said.
In 2021, due to health restrictions, face-to-face conduct of the Barangay Assembly was only permitted in barangays without prevailing Covid-19 issues, while others may modify the implementation based on their COVID status. (Chito A. Chavez)