Echoes From
BY JOHNNY DAYANG
Barangay and SK polls
Vice President Jojo Binay’s recommendation for the abolition of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections packs a wallop of horse sense our lawmakers should seriously consider.
Instead of wasting P3.4 billion for the projected October 26 Barangay and SK polls this year, these village officials could well be appointed by town or city mayors, subject to a well studied system and mechanics that should limit and regulate the whimsical exercise of their appointment authority.
Empowering local government executives to appoint barangay and SK officials will even ensure harmony at the community level and more efficient implementation of local programs.
As the Vice President pointed out the SK has already become a “breeding ground of corruption where the youth have learned to falsify documents and make up ghost deliveries” of procured items paid for by public funds.
He should know from where he speaks, since he served as Makati City mayor for about 15 years before he became the country’s second highest official.
Conceptually the Barangay Council and SK are supposed to be collegial policy and implementing bodies at the grassroots level. After so many years of existence, what profound policies or ordinances have been passed and enacted by them?
Since the incumbent national administration has adopted reforms as its battle cry, it is definitely apt and proper that institutional and systems reforms in grassroot level governance be covered by its crusade.
It is interesting to note that while Vice President Binay belongs to the executive branch of government, he has taken the initiative to make cogent policy reform recommendations.
Unorthodox as it may seem his moves have served to enhance his stature as a leader of positive relevance.
Congress, indeed, will help serve the public welfare better if it immediately considers the abolition of Barangay and SK elections and empower local city and municipal mayors to appoint their officials.
The village government organs and the logistics support for them need not be abolished since they can still play vital roles in local government administration particularly in the performance and delivery of basic services at the barangay level.
The public funds for their projected elections this year could instead be earmarked for more pressing national needs, particularly the construction of more classrooms.
My own experience as former executive of Kalibo, the capital of Aklan, agrees with Vice President Binay.
BY JOHNNY DAYANG
Barangay and SK polls
Vice President Jojo Binay’s recommendation for the abolition of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections packs a wallop of horse sense our lawmakers should seriously consider.
Instead of wasting P3.4 billion for the projected October 26 Barangay and SK polls this year, these village officials could well be appointed by town or city mayors, subject to a well studied system and mechanics that should limit and regulate the whimsical exercise of their appointment authority.
Empowering local government executives to appoint barangay and SK officials will even ensure harmony at the community level and more efficient implementation of local programs.
As the Vice President pointed out the SK has already become a “breeding ground of corruption where the youth have learned to falsify documents and make up ghost deliveries” of procured items paid for by public funds.
He should know from where he speaks, since he served as Makati City mayor for about 15 years before he became the country’s second highest official.
Conceptually the Barangay Council and SK are supposed to be collegial policy and implementing bodies at the grassroots level. After so many years of existence, what profound policies or ordinances have been passed and enacted by them?
Since the incumbent national administration has adopted reforms as its battle cry, it is definitely apt and proper that institutional and systems reforms in grassroot level governance be covered by its crusade.
It is interesting to note that while Vice President Binay belongs to the executive branch of government, he has taken the initiative to make cogent policy reform recommendations.
Unorthodox as it may seem his moves have served to enhance his stature as a leader of positive relevance.
Congress, indeed, will help serve the public welfare better if it immediately considers the abolition of Barangay and SK elections and empower local city and municipal mayors to appoint their officials.
The village government organs and the logistics support for them need not be abolished since they can still play vital roles in local government administration particularly in the performance and delivery of basic services at the barangay level.
The public funds for their projected elections this year could instead be earmarked for more pressing national needs, particularly the construction of more classrooms.
My own experience as former executive of Kalibo, the capital of Aklan, agrees with Vice President Binay.
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