OATH-TAKING -- Mayor Benjamin Magalong administered the oath of office to 1,024 barangay officials in Baguio City at the City Hall grounds on Nov. 20. (Photo by Zaldy Comanda)

BAGUIO CITY – "You have nothing to thank the politicians for your victory, but you were elected by your constituents in the barangay, so you should return it with honest service and promote good governance in your barangay."

This was the statement of Mayor Benjamin Magalong as he swore into office the newly elected 1,024 barangay officials in the city, which included 128 Punong Barangay, 896 Kagawad, in a simple ceremony held at the City Hall grounds on Monday, Nov. 20.

Magalong urged the barangay leaders to be responsible for what the city government is promoting in the implementation of solid and liquid waste management.

"In fact, when I visited other countries, we are the only ones lagging behind in its implementation, so we must focus on it so that we can fight climate change," he added.

Magalong also urged the newly-elected barangay leaders to choose a worthy representative among them to be named president of the Liga ng mga Barangay who will sit in the City Council. The election of the Liga ng mga Barangay president will be held on December 15.

He said: "It's been talked about now that whoever has the most money to give is the winner. It's sad if this is the trend, because we can't choose a candidate who who will render honest service to his barangay. Let's not make corruption happen in our city."