Is change coming? (Part 2)
I am reposing this question because the deferment of the barangay elections for the second time is now real. Thus, ending the speculation whether or not the President will favor the postponement. He did and the barangay elections has been reset to May of 2018.
In any case, goodwill be hooves us to presume or even to trust, that our lawmakers and our President must have salutary reasons for holding-off the barangay elections twice in a row. And such reasons must be so promotional of the national interest as to delay, if not compromise, the exercise of the fundamental right of the electorate to freely choose their political representatives. Like a surgeon who must have compelling life or death reason in deciding to perform a calendared operation at some other time. Whatever, it is more propitious, if not ethical, to share one’s perceptions hereof rather than engagein guesswork.
At the outset, it is enlightening to restate that the barangay, as the basic political unit of the State, is institutionalized precisely as strategic partner of government in the attainment of national goals. This pivotal role is explicit in Sec. 384 of RA 7160 also known as Local Government Code of 1991 which provides that the barangay: “serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government activities, plans, programs and projects in the community and as a forum where the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered and where disputes may be amicably settled.”
Being essentially all-inclusive, such assigned task covers the promotion of peace and order, as well as, livelihood, education, health, cleanliness and environment-related services, among others. Inarguably, the successful discharge of such heavy responsibilities is not easy. It requires competence, integrity, dedication and even track record of the officeholder, especially the Punong Barangay. Unfortunately, experience on the ground reveals that our barangays are wanting in this indispensable leadership qualities. Hence, the slow pace of socio-economic growth, if not retrogression, obtaining in our barangays in general.
This is not to say that our 42,000 barangays are devoid of the much-needed leadership qualifications as to carry out the critical role of our barangays as frontline agencies in national development. Indeed, there are not a few educated men and women, and even retired professionals who are seriously thinking of serving their communities as barangay officials. It is saddening that because of the vices of our electoral process that now pervade even the lowest rung of our political system, this veritable reservoir of human resource residing in our barangays is not harnessed in public governance.
But the situation is not that hopeless. The latest postponement of the barangay elections might as well present the crucial first step in tapping the desired leadership mix thru the appointment of transition officers-in-charge, vice non-performing incumbent hold-over barangay officials. It must be re-stressed that the power to appoint public functionaries under the supervision and control of the Executive Branch is an exclusive prerogative of the President. And this prerogative includes the power to replace and/ or retain elective public officials now serving under an expired terms of office. I might venture to say the privilege of retention does not apply to incumbent barangay officials who have served for three (3) consecutive terms.
When this envisioned appointment of qualified officers-incharge in our 42,000 barangay happens, the governing philosophy of our President that the barangay is the key towards the realization of our common aspiration for a peaceful, orderly, and prosperous life free the evils of crimes and corruption will be put to test.
SENIORS’ CORNER