DILG: Barangays mandated to conduct assembly day
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO— Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Pampanga Director Myrvi Apostol-Fabia emphasized to punong barangays their accountability to the law in conducting assembly days in their r espect i ve barangays through a convention held recently.
“Yo u [ punong barangays] are accountable to the state policy in conducting barangay assemblies in your respective constituents; to inform them of the community-governance accomplishments and the directives of the national government. Further, your failure to conduct assembly day shall be dealt with sanctions,” Fabia said in her speech before the 505 punong bar angays.
Aside from the State of Barangay Address (SOBA) highlighting the barangay’s accomplishment for the last semester, the punong barangays are mandated by the DILG to discuss their plans and programs relative to anti-illegal drug campaign, their support to Mamamayan Ayaw sa Anomalya,
productivity and conserve soil, water, and other forestland resources. We should protect existing forest resources and conserve biodiversity, and rehabilitate or develop denuded areas,” Legarda said.
Meanwhile, the Senator also stressed the need to craft a roadmap for sustainable water u se.
“Water is a very basic need yet we still have communities in the country that have no access to clean and potable water. The continued overlapping and fragmented regulation of water supply services in the country by several government entities is one factor that hinders the enactment of a doable and longterm solution to prevent water shortage,” Legarda said.
A study by the World Resources Institute revealed that the Philippines will likely experience severe water shortage by 2040 due to the combined impact of rapid population growth and climate change. Furthermore, the Philippines ranks 57 out of 167 countries that are highly vulnerable to severe water shortage.
“Water is a human right and the State must ensure that the water in our lakes, rivers and other sources of freshwater reaches our faucets and is fully maximized. Every citizen must have access to potable water but this must be sustained in the long term. In order to achieve this, we must reform the water industry itself and lay down a roadmap to ensure water security for the country,” she explained.
Legarda said that the protection of our forests is also essential in improving water security. Forested watersheds and wetlands supply 75% of the world’s accessible freshwater.
“We must ensure that we sustainably manage our forests, protected areas and water resources so that we supply the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” Legarda concluded.