Bacolod City – An ordinance providing for a mechanism of recognition and award for Best Purok, Best Purok Head, and Best Purok Official in Bacolod City, was passed by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod on third and final reading at a recent session.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Renecito Novero and co-authored by Councilor Em Ang said that although not institutionalized by reason of law or executive order, barangays in the City of Bacolod are systematically constituted by the number of puroks which are administered voluntarily by their respective purok officials.
These purok officials serve without any remuneration and are often the actual first line of service in the barangay, it said.
Puroks and their respective purok officials contribute much in, among others, the maintenance of peace and order, community development, family solidarity, sport activities, annual festivities, as well as environmental programs of the barangay in Bacolod City, the ordinance said.
It is appropriate to give due recognition to the voluntary service of these purok officials in Bacolod City, it said.
The ordinance to be called Purok Recognition and Award Ordinance (PRAO) provides for the creation of a Purok Recognition and Award Committee to be headed by the City Mayor as chairperson, as well as defines the duties and functions of its members.
It also provides the criteria for the selection of the best purok and purok officials based on the following programs: anti-drug campaign, cleanliness and sanitation, peace and order, livelihood,and sports program. Other indicators include purok innovations and good practices, and people’s participation in purok development.
The ordinance includes an initial amount of P2 million, to be taken from the general fund or any available fund of the city, subject to upward adjustments as may be expedient and imperative under the circumstances. (Chrysee Semillano via The Visayan Daily Star)