Sueno tells officials: Conduct of barangay assembly mandatory

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mike Sueno on Sunday reminded the more than 42,000 barangays in the country to prepare for the conduct of the first of the bi-annual Barangay Assembly Day on March 25.

In a press statement, Sueno said the activity is mandatory based on Section 397 of Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code.

Sueno said the assembly, held every last Saturday of March and second Sunday of October, allows residents to air their concerns.

“A Barangay Assembly forms part of our democratic governance down to the barangay-level by ensuring a venue for the governed sovereign Filipino masses and the barangay government to hear and discuss the semestral report of the barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay,” he said.

Failure on the part of barangays to conduct the assembly could lead to administrative complaints against local officials.

Also, the DILG statement pointed out that complaints against erring barangay officials may be filed by any resident, concerned citizen, and government or non-government organization to its respective local government unit or to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Sueno expressed hopes that the coming March 25 assembly could surpass the 40,017 barangays that undertook the activity in October last year.

“In the October 2016 Barangay Assembly Day, 40,017 barangays in the country reported to have conducted the Assembly. It is hoped that this March 2017, we can increase compliance and more importantly, the quality of discussion on barangay activities, finances and problems affecting residents,” Sueno said.

He also directed the local officials to post posters or banners about the assembly day at barangay halls, plazas, main streets, transport terminals, and markets. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/LBG, GMA News