CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Interior and Local Government has issued a memorandum to remind barangays to conduct next month the mandatory barangay assembly for the second quarter of the year.
The barangay assembly is set at least twice a year to hear and discuss the semestral report of the Sangguniang Barangays concerning its activities and finances, as well as problems affecting their respective jurisdictions, as per DILG’s memorandum circular issued last September 18, 2024.
For the upcoming activity, residents of the barangays are also expected to be updated with their barangays’ plans, programs, projects, and other concerns, as well as the status of Sangguniang Kabataan funds, the status on the implementation of DILG-initiated programs, plus newly-enacted ordinances and resolutions.
For this semester, the Barangay Assembly Day can be conducted in any of the Saturdays or Sundays of October 2024.
The upcoming assembly day will carry the theme “Talakayan sa Barangay” Aktibong Diskusyon ng Pamayanan Tungo sa masigla at maunlad na Bagong Pilipinas.”
Prior to the conduct of the barangay assembly, residents will have to be notified at least a week for the scheduled activity through different social media platforms, and posters or tarpaulins in public places for maximum attendance.
Although it is said to be a barangay assembly, city officials and the DILG director of LGU operations officers, among others, are encouraged to be invited as guests and or resource speakers.
DILG also stressed that playing bingo games before, during, and after the barangay assembly is strongly discouraged.
However, to encourage the participation of the residents in the barangays, the barangay may invite civil society organization, non-government organizations, and health organizations, for a possible free medical and dental mission, and or free eye check-up, among others.
Representatives from PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and Social Security System is also expected to set up a help desk for the registration of kasambahays while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources or the Department of Agriculture may also be tapped for possible distribution of seedlings and other planting materials.
The Local Economic Development and Investments Promotions Office is also expected to send representatives in the barangay for the promotion of barangay economic development and responsible satellite market operations.
Failure to conduct a barangay assembly for the second semester of CY 2024 may be grounds for administrative sanctions, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulation.