THE postponement of the barangay elections is being supported by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson.

Lacson said he is not surprised that the House of Representatives approved a bill last week postponing the 2020 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to December 5, 2022.

He said it is not the first time that the barangay polls were postponed since previous barangay officials were also given an extension.

"I'm not really surprised and it is just giving barangay officials longer time to serve their respective communities," he said.

The governor also said the recent poll postponement should serve as an inspiration to them to serve longer, adding he had already been expecting for the barangay polls to be postponed as several influential officials are already talking about the proposal.

Last week, the House of Representatives approved House Bill 4933, which aims to postpone the barangay and SK polls from May 2020 to December 5, 2022.

One hundred ninety-four lawmakers approved the bill, while six voted against the proponent with no abstentions.

Bacolod Lone District Representative Greg Gasataya said the bill will go through the Bicameral Committee to reconcile the House's and Senate's version of the bill.

The Senate wants the SK Federation and Liga ng Mga Barangay elections to be held every year despite the postponement, while the House pushes that it will be held after the December 5, 2022 elections.