The Department of the Interior and Local Government Cordillera is urging barangay officials to strictly follow the guidelines in holding barangay assemblies for the second semester.
DILG Assistant Regional Director Araceli San Jose said all barangays are allowed to conduct their barangay assembly day for the second semester on any of the Saturdays or Sundays of October and November in compliance with DILG circulars and in accordance with the policies and guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
“It should also be in compliance with the ordinances enacted in line with the implementation of the community quarantine in the locality,” she said.
The barangay assembly may be conducted through any of the following modes: use of social media platforms, particularly via Facebook Live; distribution of flyers, leaflets, or similar materials within the barangay jurisdiction; and through mobile announcements or radio guesting, whenever applicable.
San Jose said the barangay assembly is mandated by the Local Government Code which states that it should be conducted at least twice a year to hear and discuss the semestral report of the barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay.
She also reminded that failure to hold a barangay assembly can be a case for administrative complaint that may be filed by a concerned citizen or a government or non-government entity before the sangguniang panlungsod or bayan or the Office of the Ombudsman.
The barangay assembly carries the theme, “Barangay bayanihan sa panahon ng epidemya para sa kaligtasan ng mamamayan,”
The barangays are also enjoined to post or hang posters or banners bearing the Barangay Assembly Day theme in conspicuous places in the barangay like the barangay hall, plaza, main street, transport terminals, public market or talipapa, and if available, in the official website or FB page of the barangay, she said.
San Jose also encourages barangays to stream their barangay assembly through Facebook Live and post pictures and videos of the assembly in various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hashtag #barangayassemblysecondsemester2020. –Pamela Mariz Geminiano
