DILG Urges Newly Elected Brgy Captains to Be Vigilant, Committed to Service

Staying vigilant, maintaining proper coordination and commitment to service.

These were the points that Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Eduardo Año highlighted in his speech during the recent Presidential Visit in Lapu-Lapu City.

Speaking before a crowd of 3,000 newly-elected Punong Barangays of Central Visayas, Año emphasized that barangay leaders should realize that they have a big role in the country.

He tagged them as the primary weapon of the country in catering to the rights of the citizens and in countering corruption and terrorism.

He lauded the officials of Barangay Napo, Inabangga, Bohol, setting them as an example of having good network of local government.

According to him, their vigilance, coordination, and commitment to public service resulted to the prevention of the attempted Abu Sayyaf entry in their town.

“Kung hindi dahil sa mabilis na aksyon na ginawa ng mga mamamayan, kung hindi naisumbong agad sa kinauukulan, malamang mas malala pa ang nangyari sa Inabanga (If it weren’t for the quick response by the residents, and if the situation wasn’t reported to the authorities, Inabanga could have experienced worse),” Año said.

He also explained that since village leaders are those who know their community best, they should remain observant and alert at all times.

He encouraged them to fully commit to providing basic services such as implementing programs for health, education, and promoting peace and order.

“For those who were re-elected, you must have done something good for the people to vote for you again,” he said, as he congratulated the re-electionists present in the event.

He added, “For those who are new, ito na ang simula sa pagkamulat nyo sa reyalidad, na may ikakabuti pa ang inyong komunidad (To those who are new, this will be the time that you’ll realize that we can still improve your community).”

Año issued a challenge to the Punong Barangays: “Alam ng mga mamamayan na may paninindigan kayo. Kaya wag ninyong hayaan na maipit kayo sa gulo ng mga partido. Wag kayong pumanig sa mga (political) parties. Dapat lahat ay kakampi at katuwang sa pagpapabuti ng barangay (Do not get caught in the war of parties. Do not side on a political party. Everyone should be your ally and partner in the betterment of your barangays),” he said. (Jan Karla Madrio/PIA7)