MAJORITY of municipal mayors in Negros Occidental are supporting the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
Newly-elected president of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP)-Negros Occidental Chapter, Mayor David Albert Lacson of E.B. Magalona said a one year or two years postponement would be better.
He said the postponement is advisable because our leaders are still in the period of adjustment after the recent election.
Lacson added that after the LMP election at Aboy's Restaurant on Friday, he will consult all the mayors of the province on this issue and probably come up with a resolution.
Among the local chief executives who support the postponement are Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol, Jechonias Manzan of Candoni, Johnrey Tabujara of Cauyan, Andrew Montelibano of Murcia, Francis Malabor of Isabela, Lourdes Escalante of Manapla, Araceli Somosa of Calatrava, and Teresa Bilbao of Hinoba-an.
These officials said the election should be postponed because of its closeness with the recent local and national elections, and it would mean additional expenses for the government that still needs to cope up with a huge national budget deficit.
They said conducting the SK and barangay elections is too costly with the logistical requirements, among others, that politicians and would-be candidates beg off.
No less than Vice President Jejomar Binay want to postpone the said elections and for the mayor to appoint the barangay officials, if possible.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri also moved to postpone the elections, citing his Senate Bill 60, which seeks to reset the synchronized barangay and SK elections and extend the terms of office of barangay officials to five years in a bid to address the issue of effective governance and implementation of long-term projects nationwide.
Zubiri said the short term, currently set at three years, for barangay officials affects the delivery of services in the most basic level of governance.
He said the recommended two-year extension for barangay leaders would likewise lessen government expenses.
The National Government spent P13.5 billion in the recent May 10 polls, while the upcoming barangay and SK polls will cost the government a minimum of P3.5 billion.
"These budget and governance factors demand the adoption of relevant measures in the interest of effective governance and public service," Zubiri said.
He noted that the positions occupied by the barangay officials are non-partisan by nature and practice. Therefore, "there is no great need for their election to be held in the same year as for partisan national and local posts."
The proposed measure likewise provides sufficient time for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure that the holding of the proposed October 2012 barangay and SK elections are automated and implemented in at least two highly urbanized cities and two provinces covering Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, to be chosen by the Comelec, in accordance with the Automated Election System law, or Republic Act 9369.
It also mandates the Comelec to undertake a voter education program prior to the automated barangay and SK elections. (TED/With CNC)