Baguio City — An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cordillera is urging the barangay executives to strictly follow the guidelines in the conduct of Barangay Assembly for the second semester.
Araceli San Jose, Assistant Regional Director of DILG Cordillera said that all barangays are allowed to conduct their Barangay Assembly Day for the Second Semester of CY 2020 on any of the Saturdays or Sundays of October and November in compliance with DILG Circulars and in accordance with the policies and guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
“It should also be in compliance with the enacted local ordinance/s in line with the implementation of the community quarantine in the locality,” she said.
The Barangay Assembly may be conducted, through any of the following modes: Utilizing the social media platforms, particularly via Facebook Live; Distribution of flyers, leaflets or similar materials within the barangay jurisdiction and through mobile announcement or radio guesting, whenever applicable.
ARD San Jose said that the conduct of Barangay Assembly is mandated by Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code which states that it should be conducted at least twice a year to hear and discuss the semestral report of the barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay.
She also reminded that barangay officials’ failure to hold a Barangay Assembly can be a case for administrative complaint that may be filed by a concerned citizen or governmental or non-governmental entity before the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bayan or to the Office of the Ombudsman.
The Barangay Assembly carries the theme: “Barangay Bayanihan sa Panahon ng Epidemya Para sa Kaligtasan ng Mamamayan”.
“The barangays are also enjoined to post or hang posters or banners bearing the Barangay Assembly Day Theme in conspicuous places in the barangay like the barangay hall, plaza, main street, transport terminals, public market or talipapa, and if available, in official website or FB page of the Barangay,” she said.
ARD San Jose also encourages the barangays to live stream their Barangay Assembly through Facebook Live and post pictures and videos of the assembly in various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #barangayassemblysecondsemester2020.
(Pamela Mariz Geminiano, photo courtesy by Joe Manzano)