NEWLY-ELECTED barangay officials (BNEO) in the City of San Fernando are ready to craft “great” programs after the city government, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Liga ng mga Barangay (LNB) conducted recently a three-day seminar and training dubbed “BNEO towards Grassroots Renewal and Empowerment for Accountable and Transparent (GREAT) Barangay Program.”
The “BNEO towards GREAT Barangay Program” is a platform to prepare barangay officials in doing their duties as public servants who will help the larger government achieve development and as leaders whose being a role model is a task.
Speaking before the BNEO at Subic Bay Traveler’s Hotel, Mayor Edwin Santiago stressed that the success of a barangay impacts that of the city.
“I have repeatedly mentioned that the first step to success is to empower and train barangay officials. The reason you are included in the scope of the Local Government Code is because you handle a strong government,” he said.
Santiago said the BNEO should focus on serving the families in their respective villages, as these are the smallest units that contribute to development.
Meanwhile, during the first day, September 19, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards and Decentralization and Local Governance were discussed by Rowena Ocampo, Local Government Operations Officer (LGOO) VI of Macabebe.
LGOO VI Rita Gotiangco of Mabalacat City imparted discussions on Barangay Government Administration and Barangay Finance Administration while LGOO VII Jose Algy Canlas presented topics that centered around Barangay Development Planning and Barangay Capacity Development Agenda, during the second day, September 20.
Alongside Gotiangco and Canlas was City LGOO of San Fernando, Irenea Bacani, with discussions on the Overview of Barangay Legislation, Katarungang Pambarangay, and an Overview of the Content of Internal Rules Procedures.
DILG Provincial Director for Pampanga, Myrvy Fabia, also visited the event, sharing insights on how to fix the nation’s major problems—illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality.
City Planning and Development Coordinator’s Office OIC, Chryzl Sicat, completed the roster of speakers during day two, with discussions on the Comprehensive Development Plan of the City of San Fernando.
The seminar ended on September 23, highlighting the National Program Thrusts, covering Violence against Women and Children, Bantay Kaagapay and Federalism, Peace and Order Programs, Climate Change and Disaster and Barangay Seal of Good Local Governance, discussed by LGOO VI Franny Lacanlale.