Controversy spoils barangay assembly

Yesterday's synchronized barangay assembly did not escape from controversy as rumors have it that some barangay leaders handed out money and sacks of rice to those who attended and signed a move pushing for Charter change through a people's initiative.

Acting Association of Barangay Councils president Rodolfo Estella quickly denied reports that they distributed money and sacks of rice to their constituents who attended the assembly.

Estella said that they did not receive any financial support from the government and that they even spent their own money for the snacks during the activity.

Through Proclamation No. 342, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared the last Saturday of March and the third Saturday of October every year as Barangay Assembly Day.

Estella said that the assembly did not only cover the Charter change issues but also tackle topics on disaster-preparedness, peace and order, and gender and development.

Estella, however, pointed out that the city barangays have not yet taken their stand on the Charter change issue. He said that James Marty Lim, the national president of the league of the barangays, would hold a national assembly on March 28 to discuss the move on whether to support the Cha change.

The people's initiative is one of three modes to amend the Constitution. Its campaign aims to gather at least six million signatures from eligible voters to push for Charter reforms.

The Arroyo administration has been pushing for a shift to the unicameral parliamentary system of government this year and the removal of restrictive economic provisions that it claims only hamper the entry of foreign capital, among other reforms.

In Mandaue City, the most common issues tackled during the barangay assembly involved the problems on drainage and road widening projects in the city's 27 barangays.

Councilor Wenceslao Gakit said that aside from these problems, issues on the people's initiative were discussed to the barangay residents.

Gakit, chair of the Mandaue City Council committee on budget and finance, claimed that the city government has not allocated any funding to the assembly, saying that each barangay has its own allocation only for the snacks.

Alfredo C. Ouano, the barangay captain of Ibabao-Estancia, said issues that were discussed include the financial aspects of the barangay and the peace and order situation.

The Local Government Code mandates the holding of the barangay assembly twice a year.

"Ang barangay assembly is a mandated gyud na siya twice a year. Mao na nga di na tinuod nga gidalidali ni siya para lang sa people's initiative," Gakit said. - Garry B. Lao and Mitchelle P. Calipayan