Barangay execs assume office today

MANILA, Philippines - Newly elected and re-elected officials in 42,028 barangays nationwide will assume office today.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has instructed outgoing and incoming officials to ensure a smooth transition.

The chairman will have the final word on where to spend the barangay’s share of over  P59.165 billion in Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) this year.

Last year the amount was about P51 billion.

In a memorandum circular obtained by The STAR, Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said barangay officials must properly account for government funds and property at barangay offices.

“All mayors are hereby enjoined to ensure that there is smooth and orderly turnover of responsibilities for the proper use and care of government funds and property,” read the circular.

Roxas instructed barangay officials to create a committee to ensure the smooth transition to the newly elected and re-elected barangay officials.

“Barangay officials must conduct or update the inventory of all properties, finances and documents of barangays... see to it that all financial records and transactions are intact, all officials in actual possession of or entrusted with, the custody or control of supplies or property are held accountable,” read the circular.

Roxas said the committee must also organize a turnover ceremony to include a briefing on the state of barangay governance, financial performance and challenges to the incoming set of officials.

A barangay chairman in Metro Manila receives about P23,000 in monthly honorarium under government salary grade 14, while a kagawad receives over P17,000 in honorarium monthly, or salary grade 10.

Under the law, a barangay chairman has the power to enforce all laws and ordinances applicable within his jurisdiction, maintain peace and order, negotiate, enter into and sign contracts for and in behalf of the barangay.