Surrender all gov't properties to ensure smooth transition of power, Abalos tells unlucky BSKE bets
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos ordered on Tuesday, Oct. 31, all barangay officials who lost in the recently-held barangay elections to immediately surrender all government properties under their custody.
At the same time, Abalos advised all those who won the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Monday, especially those who are new to the positions, to coordinate with the DILG officers on the ground to make sure that the inventory of BSK properties, financial records, documents and money accountabilities are properly turned over to them once they assumed their posts.
“We gave them the instruction to have proper transition and inventory of all those than need to be turned over. We do not want any trouble to happen,” said Abalos.
These moves, according to Abalos, are aimed at ensuring a smooth transition of power and continuity in providing government services at the barangay level.
He then cited the signing of the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2023-166 which states that “there shall be a transition period not to exceed three weeks to ensure proper and smooth transition of governments, accountabilities and actual turnover of barangay and SK.
Abalos said three weeks are sufficient time for what he described as “natural and proper” transition to the new barangay administration.
In order to iron out the transition process, Abalos said the DILG has already written the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the time-table of the transition of barangay officials.
Meanwhile, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) jail director Ruel Rivera said that a total of 26,268 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) were able to cast their votes for the barangay elections.
He said the figure represents around 90 percent of the total 29,288 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who were eligible successfully cast their votes
“This is a very high turnout. Also, no untoward incidents happened during the election day,” said Rivera.
Rivera said PDLs still have the right to vote and this was the reason why they converted some of their facilities across the country into polling precincts.