Las Piñas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar (center) (Rep. Villar's office)

For House Deputy Speaker Las Pinas City lone district Rep. Camille Villar, the value of barangay councilors or "kagawads" cannot be understated. 

In her speech at the recent National Congress of the Pederasyon ng mga Barangay Kagawad ng Pilipinas (PBKP), Villar called the kagawads the country's “unsung heroes” because of the vital role that they play in the delivery of crucial public services at the local government level. 

Villar, who was the event’s guest of honor, commended the councilors’ dedication to safeguarding the welfare of communities under their care. 

“Kayo po ang mga tinatawag na ‘unsung heroes’ ng ating mga komunidad. Sa inyo po nakasalalay ang ayos at kapayapaan ng ating mga barangay. Kapag po may kaguluhan sa barangay, kayo po ang unang tumatakbo at nag-che-check ng sitwasyon kaya’t kayo ay para na ring mga first responders. Minsan problem-solver, minsan peacekeeper, madalas advocate, madalas din mediator,” Villar said. 

(You are the 'unsung heroes' of the community. The village's peace and order is still in your hands. Whenever there's a commotion in the village, we turn to you because you're our first responders. Sometimes problem-solver and peacekeeper, most of the time advocate and mediator.) 

She stressed: “Napakahalaga po ng tungkuling ginagampanan ng ating mga barangay kagawad dahil sa inyo nagsisimula at nararamdaman ang pundasyon ng ating demokrasya, kung saan makakatulog tayo ng mahimbing sa gabi na alam nating tahimik at payapa ang ating mga pamayanan.” 

(The role that barangay kagawads have is important because you are the foundation of our democracy, which allows us to sleep soundly at night while knowing that the community is safe.) 

The lady solon went on to thank the baranga kagawads for their tireless efforts in serving the people. 

Added the Nacionalista Party (NP) stalwart: “Saludo po ako sa inyo! Kayo po ang aming inspirasyon (I salute you! You are our inspiration)."

Villar rallied the barangay executives to stay committed to their sworn duties and to always put premium on the well-being of the families in their areas. 

“Nawa’y manatili sa ating mga puso ang pagmamahal sa bayan, ang dedikasyon sa pagsulong ng progreso, at ang malasakit sa ating kapwa, sa ating barangay. Sama-sama po nating ipagpatuloy ang ating mga adhikain para sa isang bagong bukas para sa bawat Pilipino,” Villar said. 

(May the love of country, dedication to pursuing progress, and compassion for others in our barangays remain in our hearts. Together, let us continue to aspire for a new tomorrow for our fellow Filipinos.)