The triumph of traditional politics with its corrupting effects
upon the masses is occasioned by the failure of the middle
and upper classes to govern the community.
--Gising Barangay Movement Inc
GISING BARANGAY!
I.
Barangays: Our Small Republics
II.
Critical Tasks of Barangay Governance
III. 8-Point Agenda for Empowerment
IV. Keep Issues Alive, People Awake
(The Pulong-Pulong)
V.
GBM Organization Structure

Hierarchy

Operating Policy

Immediate Objective of the Chapter

A Task Force
I.
BARANGAYS: OUR SMALL REPUBLICS
The Barangay is a small republic.
It has territory, people, government,
and, though limited, sovereignty.
As the home of every sovereign Filipino,
its voters provide legitimacy to government
and authority to public servants on all levels.
Every precinct is located in it; every vote cast in it.
The Big Philippine Republic draws its life force, direction and political will from these
small barangay republics. To neglect even one barangay is to weaken the chain of close
to 42,000 small barangay republics that make up our Big Republic. For it is the basic
unit of our political, economic, and social system.
A Public Corporation
The barangay is a public corporation representing the
interests of its constituents. It may adopt its own logo,
sue or be sued, enter into contracts, have joint ventures
with other barangays or with public and private
institutions, lend or borrow money, acquire or sell
property, invest in or establish enterprises, and share
benefits from its earnings with its inhabitants.
Its authorized capital is subscribed by stockholders (its
constituents) in the form of tax payments – which are
their equity in its operation as an enterprise, entitling
them to dividends in the form of services and other
socioeconomic benefits.
An Economy
The barangay is an economy – with land, labor, and
capital. Except in urban centers, its land comprises
several square-kilometers with assorted physical and
strategic attributes or assets that can be developed for
industry, agriculture, tourism, and other profitable uses.
Developing or capitalizing these assets would generate
new wealth, employment, and livelihood. It would open
opportunities, improve standards of living, and raise
quality of life. It would contribute not only to the gross
domestic product but also to our gross national
happiness.
The barangay’s labor force consists of people in diverse occupations, professions, or
fields of endeavor – in arts and crafts, in services, in enterprises. In addition to its
revenues, its capital includes the equity, holdings, or possessions of its stakeholders,
the barangaynons.
Unique Government
Before Congress enacted the Local Code Government of
1991, the barangay was simply an appendage to the
municipality or city called “barrio” -- a quasi-municipal
entity with no powers or resources at its command.
This changed radically when the Code made it a fullfledged government and the primary level of our
political structure -- with three branches, powers, and
resources.
As such, it acquired the power to legislate or pass
ordinances, levy taxes or fees, regulate public affairs
(police power), and exercise eminent domain (over
private property for public use). Hence, it is no longer an
insignificant extension of a city or municipality.
Moreover, the Code vested it with a unique mode of governance, distinct from the
upper levels (municipal to national). Instead of representative democracy, it has a
direct democracy. Instead of presidential it has a parliamentary form, complete with
the power of Recall (to remove officials for loss of confidence).
This set up resembles the system in Switzerland and Israel, where direct democracy
below complements representative democracy above. It enables the citizens to
manage their local affairs directly, not indirectly through representatives. They do so
as members of its legislative governing body -- the Barangay Assembly, which is a
parliament except in name.
Chairman, Not Kapitan
Consistent with this parliamentary form of government, the
Code changed the barangay leader’s title to “Chairman” -- no
longer “Kapitan” which is a position of command over troops
or subordinates. The term “kapitan” was derived from the
days of the Guardia Civil when barrios were commanded by
actual captains or lieutenants of the Spanish Monarchy.
It was good that the Code did this, because too many
barangay leaders fancied themselves as real “captains” or
commanders, thinking they were “little monarchs.” Others
thought they were “little presidents” because under the
presidential form of government the structure was
monolithic, starting at the top with the president as
commander-in-chief.
But no campaign was ever undertaken to inform the people of these changes. No
one told the barangays about their unique form of government; that their leaders
were not “little monarchs” or “little presidents” but “little prime ministers;” that they
serve only as first among equals; that their prime duty is to preside over their peers,
not order them around or abuse their resources. No one explained that the people are
not their subordinates but their principals – or, as P-Noy prefers to say, their Boss.
To this day, barangay leaders continue to call themselves Kapitan or Kapitana, ignorant
of the fact that they are not the superiors but rather the servant of their constituents.
It is a misnomer that is further perpetuated by the constituents, their Boss, who play
along and call them that too. In fact, the proper term is “chairman” or “punong
barangay.”
No one seems to see irony in having sovereign citizens commanded or subordinated to
their public servants
Another fact underscores the parliamentary nature of barangay governance: unlike
the presidential mode at upper levels, which operate under the principle of separation
of powers (separate branches, separate heads), the three branches of the barangay
government are headed by one and the same official: its chairman. It is a distinctive
feature of a parliamentary form of government, although the usual practice combines
only the executive and legislative branches.
All this has transformed our political system from what used to be a monolithic or
unitary structure from top to bottom into a split-level or dual structure: the upper and
lower levels having different modes of governance.
The stability of our Republic hinges upon the extent to which both levels perform their
tasks in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity – which requires that any task
that can be done at the lower level should not be performed by or delegated to the
upper level.
An Awakened Citizenry: Our Best Hope
Filipinos need to know the nature and powers of the
barangay as a government-corporation-economy so they
can perform their role in its complex operation.
Otherwise they will continue to be manipulated, their
community’s resources milked dry by traditional
politicians, or trapos, who play at governance while
mismanaging its corporate and economic interests.
Only responsible citizens can make the barangay government operate properly and
reform the political system that has been corrupted by wrongful practices. Only if they
take part in its democratic processes can they, as sovereign citizens, enforce
transparency, accountability, and responsible governance at the grassroots -- on which
the foundation of our Big Republic is built.
Pinatubo, di pinatulo: the fundamental process by which democracy grows.
Essential Role of the Elite
Unless the stakeholders of this barangay corporation are
attentive, they cannot expect its assets to be managed
efficiently or to yield optimal dividends for everyone.
They own or work the land and other resources of the
barangay economy; they must develop its potentials,
expand its wealth, and thus create opportunities for all.
But none of this will happen without the participation of the middle and upper classes
– the knowledgeable, influential, and well-off citizens. Good governance is simply
another term for “sound management” and it is not possible without them. Only if
they participate is it possible to reform attitudes, values, and corrupt practices in the
barangay – our basic political, social, and economic unit. The larger society is nothing
but clusters of barangays.
Thus, we say:
Governance is everybody’s business; if you’re not involved, you can’t expect good
governance! #
LET EVERY MAN STATE WHAT KIND OF GOVERNMENT
WOULD COMMAND HIS RESPECT, AND THAT WILL BE THE
FIRST STEP TOWARD OBTAINING IT.
--Henry David Thoreau
II.
The Critical Tasks of Barangay Governance
Barangay officials have many tasks and responsibilities. They have
both the authority and the resources with which to perform these.
It is not the GBM’s intention to hound them on every detail. But
we do need to make sure that the tasks affecting the common
good intimately are performed, tasks that need critical attention
because of habitual neglect and corrupt practices.
A. EXECUTIVE BRANCH: Office of the Chairman/Punong Barangay
Barangays are allowed to design and implement their own organizational structure
and staffing pattern based on their priorities, service requirements, and financial
capability. Large barangays need sophisticated management systems, small ones
simpler. (Section 76-77, R.A. 7160)
This could be a simple task if officials learn to avail of expert advice or assistance
from their knowledgeable residents or institutions like universities or development
institutes nearby. It is not only allowed; it is encouraged. They can call on external
agencies/ management experts for technical and other assistance.
[Section 107 (d)]
Cost-benefit ratios, for example, would improve with imaginative mobilization of
resources, human and non-human. There are companies with equipment, facilities, or
experts that can lend assistance; after all, they are corporate citizens of the barangay.
Many highly skilled professionals live in the neighborhoods, but they are
unmotivated or simply ignored. Service clubs like Rotary, Jaycees, Boy and Girl
Scouts, and civil society groups could also help. Involving them in community
service would reduce operating costs, while raising community pride and sense of
ownership. Volunteerism (bayanihan-style collaboration) is disappearing
because barangays don’t encourage it. In other countries, volunteers direct traffic,
handle day-care services, even fight fires or deliver the mail. Why not in the
barangay?
Critical Tasks:
1.
A periodic inventory of property and audit of funds is important -- to protect
them, to account for them, to pinpoint accountability, and to put records in
order, especially at the end of each term.
This should include Katipunan ng Kabataan and Sangguniang Kabataan – whose
performance has been increasingly criticized.
Members of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) reside in the
barangay. They could well assist in this task. It’s their neighborhood.
2.
Physical plant, equipment, and facilities need regular inspection
Many day-care centers and libraries are inoperative,
some used as storerooms. Public comfort rooms are
filthy, reading rooms are badly lighted or not at all. Playground equipment, if any, are run down or don’t serve
varying age groups. Many have no street signs or
garbage receptacles.
(Cf. Section 17, R.A. 7160)
It is revealing that despite its affordability today, a computer is a rarity in barangay
offices. This says a lot about the proficiency or sophistication of barangay officials.
And yet, they have residents who are active members of
the Philippine Institute of Architects, United Architects of
the Philippines, or the Philippine Institute of Civil
Engineers. There are also technology training centers.
But they might as well not be there.
3.
Information systems need upgrading including public
stands or bulletin boards in strategic places for
ordinances, reports, lists, or a vicinity map.
The law requires certain reports and documents to be posted in at least three (3)
prominent locations. Few barangays bother with these transparency and
accountability requirements. Their failure to comply keeps constituents in the
dark about operations and expenditures -- breeding misuse, abuse, or corruption.
(Section 399, R.A. 7160; Article 122 (3) (xi), Implementing Rules and Regulations; and
No. 100 of the Primer on Barangay Budgeting of the DBM)
Within the Barangay Hall, various lists, periodically updated, are supposed to be
maintained and available on demand, especially the roster of Barangay Assembly
members and the Katipunan ng Kabataan, and ordinances.
A complete list of inhabitants is essential for determining who are entitled to assistance. Its
absence creates injustice: illegal residents or flying voters crowd out the legitimate and
deprive them of their rights, while unlisted residents cannot avail of benefits. And the
address of wanted persons or crime suspects cannot be checked. Badly-governed
barangays are a boon to criminals!
4.
Officials must file various disclosure statements
Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, Personal Data, Financial
and Business Interests, Relatives within the fourth civil
degree of consanguinity or affinity, and so on. (Sec. 51,
R.A.7160; Art. 104, Implementing Rules & Regulations).
Failure to do so violates laws against conflict of interest or graft and get away with it.
Without anyone checking, no one bothers to comply. (Section 89)
There is a general attitude that encourages non-compliance: Filipino reticence about
inquiring into the conduct of their officials; a hang-over from colonial days when no one
could question even a Capitan or Teniente del Barrio.
5.
The Barangay Secretary and the Barangay Treasurer
must be well qualified.
The Sanggunian is supposed to screen them before
confirming their appointment. (Section 394-395, R.A.
7160)
As representatives of the community, kagawads ought to ascertain the suitability or
fitness of these officers. Their performance affects community interests directly; so the
inhabitants must have confidence in them or be aware of their ability.
6.
THE BARANGAY SECRETARY
must be an actual resident and a qualified voter of
the barangay. No civil service eligibility is required
but he or she cannot be a relative of the Chairman
within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or
affinity.
(Section 394.)
Among others, the Secretary:
a.
Keeps minutes and records of the Sangguniang Barangay and Barangay Assembly meetings;
b.
Maintains an up-to-date roster of members of the Barangay Assembly, posting the same in
conspicuous places;
c.
Maintains a record of all inhabitants containing name, address, place and date of birth, sex,
civil status, citizenship, occupation, and other data;
d.
Submits reports on the actual number of residents as often as required by the Sanggunian;
e.
Issues notices of meetings – especially of the Barangay Assembly, which must be in writing
and issued at least one week in advance;
f.
Attends and journalizes meetings of the Sanggunian, Barangay Assembly, the Lupon,
Barangay Development Council; and refers matters to committees and officials having
responsibility for them.
This position has heavy responsibility for multiple operations. Its duties span the gamut of
executive, legislative and judicial operations. With growing populations and diverse activities to
be monitored, recorded and followed up, the workload is heavy.
Good education, reporting skills, database management, organizing experience, and methodical habits
are imperative for performing these.
7.
THE BARANGAY TREASURER
must be an actual resident and qualified voter of the
barangay. No civil service eligibility is required but
cannot be a relative of the Chairman within the fourth
civil degree of consanguinity or affinity. A bond of up to
ten thousand pesos is required, to be paid by the
barangay.
(Section 395, R.A. 7160)
He is the chief financial officer of the barangay as a government and corporation,
responsible for all financial transactions within the jurisdiction. There are taxes, fees
and licenses to compute and collect, properties to account for, assets to safeguard,
liabilities to tend, and regular reports to prepare.
Duties and responsibilities include:
a.
Custody of funds/properties, properly handling, recording and accounting for them;
b.
Collection and issuance of official receipts for taxes, fees, contributions -- depositing
same in the barangay’s account;
c.
Disbursing funds in accordance with specified procedures;
d.
Preparing reports, ensuring that same are furnished or made available to Barangay
Assembly members and the general public;
e.
Certifying as to the availability of funds;
f.
Preparing Quarterly Budget Accountability Reports on Actual Income and on Financial
Operations (No. 97, DBM Primer on Barangay Budgeting);
g.
Examining books of enterprises with tax obligations.
Needless to say, attention to detail, a systems-orientation, and integrity are imperative here.
Millions in cash and other assets are pilfered or wasted in barangays where the
Treasurer is unreliable or corrupt: improper cash advances, no liquidations,
kickbacks from contractors, commissions from purchases, unauthorized property
disposal, equipment/supplies pilfered, appliances/spare parts spirited away, even
light bulbs and doorknobs. That’s why inventories and audits are a must!
Because of such irregularities, many barangays start a new term without equipment,
supplies, or money. It happens where constituents are negligent and inattentive to
their public corporation.
8.
BARANGAY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (BDC), ITS NGO MEMBERS
As the nerve center of planning and development for the neighborhoods, this
unit needs utmost attention.
Unless it is organized and operational in accordance with law, the community
cannot expect to have a rational plan, a set of well-defined priorities, or a
sensible pattern of development. Development is then reduced to a game of
chance, its infrastructure and services subject to the chairman’s whims.
Barangays with malfunctioning BDC are easy to spot: no proper drainage, no sidewalks
or walkways where needed, no paving for streets except where favored persons reside,
poor sanitation, filthy markets, and squatters everywhere.
The BDC cannot do a competent job without an active NGO sector in it. It is
supposed to comprise at least one-fourth of its membership. Since there are ten
basic members from the government (seven kagawads, SK chairman, barangay
chairman, and congressman’s representative); there should be at least three (3)
NGO representatives – meaning, it can be more. NGOs are corporate citizens and
should conduct themselves accordingly.
There is a prescribed procedure for selecting the NGO members. Its non-observance
accounts for the zoning anarchy in barangays. The Chairman usually just designates
whomever he likes and rarely bothers to convene it. (Section 107-112, R.A. 7160)
Its little-known functions:
a.
Mobilizing the people’s participation in local development efforts,
including the creation of sectoral and functional committees to assist in its
planning and other tasks.
Cooperation and collaboration within the barangay would be a reality instead of
a rarity if this function is operative.
b.
Prepare development plans based on local requirements, especially the
medium-term Comprehensive Multi-Sectoral Development Plan (5 years).
Rarely is this prepared with inputs from different sectors; so it doesn’t reflect the
wishes, aspirations, or priorities of the residents -- deprived of their right to
determine what or how they want their community to become.
c.
Monitor and evaluate the implementation of national or local programs and
projects within the jurisdiction.
Where these cause negative impacts, the BDC is supposed to call the responsible
agency’s attention, along with proposals to mitigate the same. The existence of
sloppy public works in them reflects the failure of this function.
d.
To call upon any official of public agencies with offices within for assistance in
formulating public investment programs or other development plans. [Section
107 (d), R.A. 7160]
Agencies with assorted professionals o board have plenty to contribute to the
quality and fullness of life in the community; but they might as well not be there.
As a result, to judge a barangay by its appearance or ambience today is to conclude
that the professionals who reside in them have poor taste, low standards, and no
concept of civilized community living.
B.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH: The Sangguniang Barangay
This is the board of directors of the barangay as a corporation, acting on behalf of
its stakeholders/constituents. But many of its responsibilities are neglected for
lack of community oversight. No one bothers to monitor its proceedings. Among
its least performed duties and responsibilities (Section 391-392:
1.
Adopt measures to prevent and control the proliferation of squatters and
mendicants in the barangay.
Not only is this task generally neglected, it is violated with impunity by officials
who connive with corrupt mayors who conspire to multiply squatter-votes.
The public trust is violated, as are the interests of property-holders, where officials
encourage or abet squatting. But citizen apathy condones it!
Citizens should see to it that officials do not make a mockery of the law or the rights of
others. Unless they do, they become part of the problem, tolerating neglect, incompetence,
or corruption.
Neglectful citizens cause slums to sprout and threaten the community with disease from lack of
sanitation, with fire from illegal connections, with criminality from vice or illegal activity, and with
budget deficits for overloading social services.
2.
Conduct regular lectures, programs, or forums on community
issues; establish library and reading rooms; or sponsor wholesome
community programs.
The general neglect of this task has turned our barangays into cultural
wastelands -- hostile to intellectual habits and pursuits, addicted to
nonsense dished out by popular entertainment fare, and an easy prey to
media that cater to the baser instincts of undereducated people.
In fact, there are men and women of science, technology, and the arts in the neighborhoods.
There are educators and culture vultures, inventors and engineering practitioners, artists, food
technologists, medical professionals, and institutions in them.
With them, Barangay compounds would be buzzing with lectures, demonstrations, exhibits,
and learning activities. In most barangays, there are talents, experts, or institutions!
3.
Initiate the establishment of a barangay high school
where feasible, or of a non-formal education center.
Preoccupation with politics, abetted by selfish pursuits, has
resulted in the gross neglect of education. Barangay governance should have an
educative, civilizing role. This is where the non-government sector must help.
4.
Establish, organize, or promote cooperative enterprises that improve the economic
condition and well-being of the residents.
Barangays may invest in joint ventures with other
barangays or the private sector – e.g. pooling resources
for a water system, a milling facility or warehouse for
farmers, a display or promo center for the arts and crafts
of their talented residents, capitalize production or
processing projects, even establish a cooperative.
No economy, small or large, grows or produces benefits without earnest development. The
barangay economy would acquire vigor with cooperatives and micro-finance enterprises.
5.
Solicit funds, materials and voluntary labor for
public works and cooperative enterprises
from residents, land owners, producers and
merchants in the barangay.
Barangays are encouraged to solicit financial, technical, and advisory assistance
from internal or external sources. Among many sources: grants-in-aid from
foundations or aid agencies, business contributions, NGOs, and philanthropists
including expatriates or OFWs who would help if requested by their community
of origin. But this does not happen because their reliance on the IRA, pork barrel
subsidies, and political patronage.
6.
Hold tax-exempt fund-raising activities
without need of securing permits from
external agencies.
The internal revenue allotment (IRA) is only one of many revenue sources. But
they don’t bother to develop other sources to augment their income.
There are corporate citizens, development institutions and NGOs within their
jurisdiction that could help develop revenue-earning projects such as commercial
tree planting, crop growing, handicrafts, apparel and textile production,
carpentry or metal works, cooperative farming, livelihood from tourism and
recreation activities, recycling, and the like.
Everyone in the neighborhoods dreams of projects big and small. As a government and
corporation, the barangay can help make their dreams a reality. But the habit of
sucking up to the Mayor or Congressman for projects kills local initiative and
productivity even as it corrupts the polity.
Barangay officials who rely upon the mayor or congressman (especially if the
latter is a relative or party boss) burden the community with political
indebtedness and the negative effects of patronage, rendering it vulnerable to
electoral manipulation.
7.
Post ordinances and financial reports for the
information of the public.
This has been dealt with earlier. It should be noted also
that the budget is an Ordinance. It should be posted for
all to see and not be treated like a state secret.
8.
Accredit non-government organizations to ensure that they will be
included in the line-up of the Barangay Development Council -- and thus be
able to contribute to the community’s development.
No barangay seems aware of this task. To compound the problem, no NGO seems
eager to get accredited; even church groups are NGOs. The net effect is to
deprive the community of the benefits that NGOs can bring.
This is a symmetrical problem involving both the government and the NGO sectors as
equally non-performing.
IN SUM
Of the 24 enumerated powers, duties, and functions of the
Sangguniang Barangay, these eight tasks are frequently
overlooked because the officials are focused on the next
elections, not on the next generation.
Left to themselves, without citizen oversight, they pursue
personal agendas. Unhampered by citizen interference, they
turn public service into self-service. Thus, it is no surprise that
they’re preoccupied with public works yielding rich kickbacks,
with year-round politicking, with lakbay-aral outings, and
other activities that build political careers but trash the
common good.
C.
BARANGAY ASSEMBLY: Supreme Governing Body,
The Local Parliament
The belittling and neglect of this local parliament has prevented our society from
attaining political maturity, or democracy from becoming a way of life at the
grassroots.
“That government is strongest of which every man feels himself a part,” wrote Thomas
Jefferson over two centuries ago. He was right.
Our republic is weak because Filipinos don’t feel they are part of government. In
their view, the government is owned by the politicians. In turn, the politicos treat
government like a personal household. Being Ama or Ina ng Lipunan enables
them to manipulate the people (household members) as a parent manipulates
his children.
Thus, although every Filipino has a formal and official role in governing his
community, his role is trivialized, devalued by his ignorance of it. This role is his
membership in the Barangay Assembly, the local parliament. He is a member- ofparliament in small letters. But so far it is a meaningless membership because it
does not conduct business formally as befits an assembly of sovereign citizens. It
is marginalized, its powers arrogated by the Chairman and the Sanggunian.
This Assembly is the gathering of the principals (owners/stockholders) of the
corporation. They are the sovereign citizens who create government and vest the
officials with authority. They are not mere representatives -- as kagawads,
congressmen, or senators are.
The citizens are the real constituents. If they convene and are in session, they are
literally a Constituent Assembly with an all-inclusive membership. Thus, it is an
official version of people power; it exemplifies participatory or direct democracy.
Whatever decision or resolution it passes is the voice of citizen sovereignty.
Unfortunately, neither the officials nor the people who are its members
comprehend the essence of this unique institution. No one tells them that this is
“the forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed,
crystallized, and considered” (Section 384, R.A. 7160). No one underscores its
power as a legislative governing body (a parliament). No one tells them that:
One:
It is supposed to initiate legislation for the Sanggunian to adopt.
(Section 398)
This means it is part of the barangay’s legislative process, whereby its citizens may
propose ordinances or measures for their own and the common good’s welfare.
Two:
It is mandated to hear and pass upon the reports of the Sanggunian
concerning its activities and finances.
To “hear and pass” means to be informed and then to consider, deliberate on, and
decide what to do with the information: power to confirm or reject. But people don’t
understand this, thinking they are powerless and not a part of government.
Three:
It decides on the adoption of Initiative as a legal process whereby the
constituents directly propose, enact, or amend an ordinance. (Sec. 120127)
This is a a largely neglected power. Instead of filing a petition or proposal with the
government of which we are a part, we go to the media and poison the atmosphere
with views that inflame or undermine government but resolve nothing.
In fact, we can discipline or remove officials for loss of confidence through the process
of Recall -- an essential feature of a parliamentary form of government. ((Sec 69-75)
Importance to our Democracy
First, this Barangay Asembly is the largest organization in every community, the largest
formal gathering of citizens since it includes everyone 15 years old and above. As such,
it makes Philippine democracy at the grassroots truly inclusive, community-based, and
participatory, not just representational.
Second, it is the only venue where an ordinary Filipino speaks with a voice equal to
everyone’s in an official forum -- to petition or make demands, to set standards of
official conduct, to define priorities, or to call for new laws and ordinances.
Our failure to express or assert ourselves here has caused us to confine our
sovereignty to the simple act of voting every three years – an act that is often
negated by cheating and manipulation, or disregarded by not being counted.
Between elections, we are reduced to spectators, blithely manipulated by an
oligarchy, unaware that in fact only we can checkmate the oligarchs.
Why? Because the barangay chairman heads all three branches and no one
within can check him, since every employee is his subordinate. Only if we
assemble as the local Constituent Assembly can question him, sanction him, or
initiate disciplinary action against him. If he fails to enforce the
law or hinders its enforcement by nepotism or bad politics
-- as when he suborns squatters for their votes – no one else
can sanction him.
The Barangay Assembly is the check-and-balance mechanism
of the local polity, the grassroots.
We need to convene the Barangay Assembly with seriousness, with dignity, with
ceremony, and parliamentary rules. It doesn’t always need the Barangay
Chairman to convene it. The people can assemble by themselves through a
resolution/petition signed by five (5) percent of its membership. (Section 397).
To activate it is to let true democracy reign at the primal level of our Republic. It
ought to convene often, not only twice a year -- which is the minimum required.
And it should do so at the people’s pleasure, not the chairman’s. Only then
will Filipinos have a hands-on experience of democracy and parliamentary
government.
D.
THE JUDICIAL BRANCH: Lupong Tagapayapa
The Lupon is a unique Filipino social/political invention. It combines tradition,
common sense, and practicality in judicial administration. Consisting of 10 to 20
members, its members are selected as follows:
1.
Anyone residing or working in the barangay, with no legal disqualification, is
eligible if he possesses “integrity, impartiality, independence of mind, sense
of fairness, and reputation for probity”
( Section 399).
2.
Within 15 days after assuming office, the Punong Barangay prepares a notice
to constitute the Lupon, along with the list of nominees who have indicated
their willingness to serve.
3.
The notice and the list must be posted in three (3) conspicuous places for at
least three (3) weeks. Any opposition or recommendation from anyone is
noted and recorded and taken into account in deciding the final appointees.
4.
At the close of the three-week period, the Chairman decides who will be
appointed and issues their written appointment
5.
After taking their oath of office, their names must be posted in three (3)
conspicuous places for the entire duration of their three-year term.
Rare is the barangay that observes this selection process faithfully. As a result, persons
of dubious qualification ,occupation, stature, or integrity are appointed.
The practice of designating sitio and zone leaders automatically as Lupon
members should not be tolerated. Lupon membership shouldn’t be used to
reward supporters or provide income for political allies. Mixing political agenda
with judicial functions is wrong. Lupon members must be non-partisan and
independent-minded.
The Lupon’s functions:
a.
To create and supervise conciliation panels (Pangkat ng Tagapagkasundo)
consisting of three Lupon members per case to handle disputes until they are
resolved;
b.
To meet regularly once a month to address pertinent issues, coordinate with
each other, and exchange views and experiences in resolving disputes; and
c.
In general to arbitrate, mediate, or conciliate disputes.
As simple as these responsibilities may sound, the tasks and processes entailed are
complicated and sensitive. Emotions can run high between contending parties, who
are neighbors. The character and probity of Lupon members must be beyond
reproach.
This dispute-resolution mechanism at the grassroots is actually a throwback to our
pre-Spanish barangays. Cases or disputes in those days were brought before village
wise men who facilitated the process of conciliation. It is a fine way of settling
disputes without going to court, a neighborly way to heal differences and resolve local
issues.
A question arises: Are the wise men and women in barangays being sought out
for appointment to the Lupong Tagapamayapa? The high case-load in our courts
would not be so overwhelming if the Lupons work conscientiously and efficiently.
FINAL NOTE
There are many other concerns in the barangay. The tasks involved in them are
the nuts and bolts of good governance. The extent to which these are performed
adequately and lawfully conditions the conduct of government at upper levels.
All officials at upper levels come from the barangays. The growth or maturity of
our political system -- and democracy itself – depends on whether they perform
their tasks properly at the base of the Republic. As the small barangay republic is,
so is the big Philippine Republic.
It is the overarching mission of the Gising Barangay Movement to make the
barangays a solid base for our Big Republic by awakening the sovereignty of its
citizens and by urging them to assert it for their own betterment. #
Government is everybody’s business; if you’re not involved, you can’t expect
good governance.
--Task Force Good Governance
III.
8-POINT AGENDA FOR EMPOWERMENT
Good governance in the small barangay republic is essential for good governance in
the big Philippine Republic, for it is the prime conditioner of national stability and
progress. Only in the barangay do Filipinos have an official, direct role in government.
It is where they must be empowered if they are to balance the exercise of powers they
delegate to officials at upper levels.
As sovereign citizens, the stakeholders who own or operate the factors of production
in its economy, they must learn to control or take responsibility for its operations. They
must be empowered. To empower them, this 8-Point Agenda is offered .
1.
Get acquainted with your barangay government. It is what makes the
neighborhoods look like they do, feel like they do, and behave like they do.
Visit the Barangay Hall and observe its set up, facilities, and workers. Check the
bulletin boards and see what notices are posted. Get acquainted with the
workers and the officials. Ask for a compilation of local ordinances. Unless the
residents know these, they cannot comply or help enforce them.
Doing so will give a feel of how the barangay is managed -- its sense of duty,
transparency, accountability, and its attitude towards public service. It will help
you decide what you want your local government to do and in what manner.
2.
Enfranchise and empower yourself along with everyone by being active in the
Barangay Assembly. Let it perform its role as the community’s legislative
governing body, or parliament. It is supposed to set the government’s direction,
policy, priorities, standards, and budget -- an unfulfilled role thus far.
Only this Assembly can hold the chairman, the sanggunian, and their appointees
accountable for their performance. As a sovereign citizen, you are a part of its
government and a stakeholder of its corporate holdings – with the Sanggunian as
its board of directors, managing its day-to-day affairs.
The law requires this Assembly to meet at least twice yearly in order “to hear
and pass upon the activities and finances of the barangay” (Section 398, R.A.
7160). This means it should convene as often as necessary, not just twice as is the
practice. It is only through it that a Filipino, apart from his vote, can speak out
officially as a sovereign citizen. Without it, no consensus can arise on public
issues or crystallize the popular will. Opinion polls do not produce consensus.
3.
Insist on professionalizing the operations of the Barangay Development Council.
It is the next most important institution for developing the community. Refer to
Title Six, Sections 106-115, R.A. 7160)
First, review its composition and manner of selecting its members. At least onefourth are supposed to come from civil society. Barangay chairmen rarely comply
with this, depriving the community of the important contributions of NGOs to
local development.
Second, review its performance. The law requires it to prepare a Comprehensive
Multi-sectoral Development Plan. This is supposed to be integrated into the
municipal or city Plan – which in turn are to be incorporated into the upper-level
Plans all the way to the national..
This requirement jibes with the democratic principle that the planning process
must begin from the ground up, instead of from the top as practiced by
autocrats. Without this Plan, officials simply improvise, without a sense of
priorities.
4.
Check the Annual Investment Plan – a very important component of the
Development Plan. Make sure it is a real plan, not just a shopping list of projects
the officials hope will be picked by some mayor or congressman with pork barrel
funds to spare. Without it, a budget cannot be justified.
First, see that this Plan addresses the priorities defined in the Development Plan.
It should be based on a survey of neighborhoods to guide investment priorities.
Second, see that it takes account of the needs of the entire community, not just
the favored sectors, usually the poor and the squatters. Although they deserve
priority treatment, others are also entitled to a share of development even as
they share its costs. Even the wealthy are entitled; they should be encouraged to
expand their businesses so they will pay more taxes and open new opportunities
for livelihood.
Third, help the officials identify productive projects. One way to expand the local
economy is to assist residents with skills or technologies that need a market.
5.
Help professionalize budget preparation, making sure the final version covers the
community’s priorities.
First, insist that it be reviewed by the Barangay Assembly. It should be based on
the approved development and investment plans. Anyone serious about good
governance should not tolerate the practice of giving officials blanket authority
and a blank check to spend as they please. This encourages corruption.
Second, examine the item for personal services. The law allows up to a maximum
of fifty-five percent (55%) of annual income to be allocated for personal services.
Treating this maximum as the minimum is wrong; after allocating the mandatory
share of the sangguniang kabataan (10%) and the Calamity Fund (5%), very little
is left for basic services and development programs.
Barangay officials earn as much as middle managers of business because they
view their allowances as a salary instead of just an allowance. Not good. Barangay
office is meant to provide an opportunity for community service, not
employment or livelihood. People who can’t survive without relying on the
barangay’s limited funds are out of place. They are a burden instead of an asset
to the community, and are susceptible to corruption. They should be earning a
salary somewhere else.
Barangay funds are meant for the community’s development, not for anyone’s
subsistence. Officials who collect maximum allowances for themselves (because
they need a salary), reduce the development fund to a minimum. In effect, they
serve themselves first and the community last.
Their job is to manage this government and public corporation so that the local
economy will expand and produce opportunities for everyone. If they can’t even
manage to earn a livelihood, how can they pretend to create livelihood and other
benefits for the community?
6.
Promote Voluntarism as a way of saving on costs of development.
There are citizens whodesire to help, to give, or to share what they can. They
need an avenue of service. Service to community is the hallmark of a responsible,
caring citizen. It is why there are Jaycees, Lions, Rotarians, Kiwanis, and such.
They wish to serve, to show their concern for the common good. And they like
doing it as volunteers, not for pay. There should be room for altruism.
It shouldn’t be necessary for them to go beyond their barangay to satisfy a desire
to serve or to apply their communitarian ideals. They are important stakeholders
and should be accommodated. The community needs their creativity, enterprise,
leadership, and expertise. And as volunteers, they entail no financial cost. They
should be drafted into service to replace people who insist on getting paid.
First, take stock of professionals, retired persons, housewives, or youth with time
or special skills to share. Enlist them for the barangay’s programs and projects.
They are invaluable for promoting the arts and crafts, fitness and sports, hobbies
and livelihood courses. They will enliven community life and enhance local pride.
Second, consider the cultural needs of the community: a library or reading
center? literacy or numeracy courses? agro-industrial seminars? Lectures,
demonstrations on technology or survival skills are always useful. Make room for
activities that refine culture and civilization. Why just physical sports or singing
concerts when there can also be chess and scrabble or Sudoku, sewing circles, or
artists’ corners?
Television and its inane fare is bastardizing grassroots culture while making a
mockery of formal education.
7.
Check out the Sangguniang Kabataan and its activities. It shouldn’t be all sports
and pop concerts.
First, draw the attention of the college kids to the fact that ten percent of the
barangay’s income is available for youth development. It’s a lot of money to
manage -- much more than campus fundraisers can hope to earn. This fund
should not be cornered by the young surrogates of older officials (their own
children along with barkada). It shouldn’t be frittered away in activities that do
nothing significant for the youth.
Second, challenge campus youth to use the community as their real-life
workshop for applying their leadership and management skills. Why wait after
college to face real-world challenges? They shouldn’t be content with the
virtual-reality of campus life, using virtual-reality tools, under virtual-reality
situations. The reality in the neighborhoods cry out for attention and
improvement!
Much of the SK’s money is wasted on unproductive activities. It is not treated as
capital for development. Imaginative use of it would attract counterpart funds
from business and other institutions to finance youth-initiated programs. The
school may need a feeding program. The poor may need a student loan program.
Pupils in distant places need shuttle service to and from school, even by
motorela. A youth cooperative may need to be capitalized. These are proper
initiatives for SK to undertake. It shouldn’t be all sports, pop concerts, or LakbayAral junkets!
8.
Crank up the local economy with programs that capitalize on local opportunities
and existing resources.
First, do an inventory of manpower (skilled workers, craftsmen, artisans, artists,
designers, other talents). Then, explore four areas of concern:
a.
Agri-business in rural areas: special crops, contract farming, contract
livestock raising, tree farming, fishponds, and so on.
b.
Tourism: rivers, hills, valleys, coastlines, flora and fauna, and other
environmental features have potential for adventure. In urban areas, there
are budding talents with technology-development potential. There are
opportunities for developing/showcasing talents in the arts and crafts.
c.
Production/Processing enterprises: food processing, handicrafts, weaving,
clay products, furniture or woodworking, garment making, and the like.
d.
Skills Development: metal works, masonry, electrical, carpentry, care-giver
or therapy services, beauticians, and the like.
For these activities, interface with resource agencies and institutes such as
TESDA, the Agricultural Training Institute, and the Cooperatives Development
Authority to assure quality and quantity of performance.
Every GBM chapter should produce a directory of skills, services, and products in
its locality and endorse the same to prospective users and customers
everywhere. Hand-in-hand with government and business, let the GBM Chapter
be a capability-building center for build up the local economy.
This 8-point Agenda is meant to ignite self-reliant, reform-oriented initiatives. It
should push the reform process forward until it takes on a life of its own and
make autonomy, self-government, and the principle of subsidiarity a reality.
(Refer to the Yellow Book or the GBM Guide to Good Barangay Governance for
more details. )
IV.
KEEP ISSUES ALIVE, PEOPLE AWAKE
THE “PULONG-PULONG”
There shall be a regular forum to be announced as a “PULONG-PULONG” in every
chapter. It shall focus on governance and the social, economic, and political
conditions of the locality. (Cf. “Moderator’s Guide”.)
Until the Barangay Assembly learns to convene often or regularly, this Forum shall
be the community’s vehicle for raising issues publicly and addressing them
collectively. It should generate communitarian solutions.
Role of the Barangay Officials
It is not necessary for the officials to be involved but they should be invited.
(Simply explain that this is primarily for people who are not in power.) They
shouldn’t feel threatened or resentful of it; they’re supposed to promote the
democratic process and encourage citizens to participate in it. But do let them
understand that this forum shall continue until or unless the Barangay Assembly
convenes regularly (not just twice a year, which is the minimum required by law)
and in a manner befitting a body of sovereign citizens.
Cautionary Note
The GBM is embarked on a civilizing mission. Its members do not engage in
disruptive acts or illegal moves, nor incite people to violence; it would violate
solidarity. It will create dissension instead of harmony and set back the political
maturity of the community.
By all means, let issues be debated as often or as passionately as people feel, but
at no time should matters escalate beyond words. The object of Pulong-Pulong is
to get people used to public deliberations by letting them reason together,
exchange views, clarify issues, and reach consensus on issues that concern them
or affect their welfare as a community.
Consensus is the hallmark of a community’s political maturity.#
V.
GBM: A PEOPLE’S MOVEMENT
The GISING BARANGAY MOVEMENT is an alliance
of Filipinos who wish to do the little things
in the barangay that together make up
the big things in the nation.

A non-stock, non-profit, and non-partisan corporation registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.

Recognized and accredited by the Ombudsman as a corruption-prevention
unit.
The GBM Convenor calls meetings and presides over the chapter, coordinating its
activities, acting as its spokesperson, and signing on its behalf.
He or she is assisted by a Deputy-Convenor who supervises operations and the
work of the committees, as follows:
1.
Membership Committee and Secretariat – headed by a Chairman, assisted
by a vice chairman. It screens and accredits applicants, issues membership
cards, maintains an up-to-date directory, serves as clearinghouse, arranges
for meetings, disseminates materials and notices, keeps custody of property,
and provides other support services.
2.
Education and Field Operations Committee - headed by a Chairman,
assisted by a vice chairman. It develops the regime of learning and doing
activities needed by GBM, conducts Empowerment Seminars, produces
handbooks or training materials, and undertakes outreach operations to
expand the GBM vertically and horizontally.
3.
Ways and Means Committee – headed by a Chairman, assisted by a vice
chairman. It anticipates and works out logistical requirements of GBM
operations, raising funds and other resources therefor.
4.
Socioeconomic Committee – headed by a Chairman, assisted by a vice
chairman. It plans and arranges for technical assistance for self-help
programs and projects that generate economic benefits and livelihood for
the members – in three areas: Agribusiness, Production and Processing, and
Skills Development.
5.
Culture and Sports Committee, headed by a Chairman, assisted by a vice
chairman. It plans and undertakes programs to promote cultural and sports
activities: to draw out and identify local talents, to help develop them, and
to project them through appropriate events such as concerts, exhibitions,
demonstrations, and competitions
6.
Finance Officer, assisted by a Treasurer, charged with handling funds and
disbursements, accounting for same, and reporting thereon.
The GBM Hierarchy
It consists of ascending levels of Convenors: barangay, municipal/city,
provincial, regional, national.
The higher level Convenor handles the task of convening the next lower
level convenors in order to coordinate, plan, deliberate, or decide on
organizational matters and activities, as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Barangay Convenor presides over the zone/district convenors.
Municipal/City Convenor presides over the Barangay Convenors.
Provincial Convenor presides over the Municpal/City Convenors,
Regional Convenor presides over the Provincial Convenors.
National Convenor presides over the Regional Convenors
Regional Convenors constitute the National Convenors’ Steering
Council which elects the National Convenor and a Deputy National
Convenor.
The Deputy National Convenor shall organize, manage and supervise
national committees.
Operating Policy
Each level operates autonomously, coordinating closely with the level
immediately above or below it. The standard hierarchy or command
structure shall not apply. Decisions are be made collegially-- by
consensus. They are all sovereign citizens! Standing committees at every
level correspond to those enumerated above.
The barangay chapter is the basic organizational unit.
Immediate Objective of the Chapter
The main objective of the GBM Chapter is to engage all sectors of the
barangay in its governing process. Special focus is on recruiting the
usually inattentive citizens: the middle and upper class residents
(professionals and the well-off) who generally ignore the governing
processes of the barangay and who surrender their sovereignty to
traditional politicos, or trapos.
It is their absence and inattention that enable the trapos to manipulate the
less-educated in the neighborhoods and corrupt them on behalf of the Big
Trapos.
Their failure to participate prevents the principle of checks-and- balances
from operating in the barangay government. It deprives the community of
their valuable ideas, insights and experience. In fact their inputs are
absolutely needed in the deliberations of the Barangay Assembly, the
community’s parliament (supreme governing body). It is the only
mechanism for ensuring transparency and accountability at the base of the
Republic.
A Task Force
GBM members are volunteers who can no longer watch idly as unscrupulous
trapos dishonor the Constitution and its enabling laws. The GBM, however,
harbors no illusion about being a permanent organization with a selfperpetuating bureaucracy. It is not meant to duplicate or, worse, to compete
with the duly constituted government and other institutions whose mandates,
while echoing the GBM’s thrusts, do not fulfill its objectives.
Accordingly, GBM merely promotes ideas and facilitates processes that
catalyze constructive citizen involvement in their barangay.
This “task force” approach is premised on the recognition that there are already
far too many institutions, public and private, that are devoted to ideas and
processes the GBM seeks to promote – which are nothing more nor less than
those mandated by our laws.
But the failure of the government to implement them and civil society to
institutionalize them, exacerbated by ignorance and apathy, make it imperative
for the GBM to take the initiative until others are sufficiently awakened to
perform the task themselves without prompting from others. #
Contact Address
Gising Barangay Movement
112 Hayes Street
Cagayan de Oro City 9000
Philippines
or
P.O. Box 0496, Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
Phone: (08822) 74-5150