TACURONG City– In a bid to step up the mainstreaming efforts of “Ugnayan ng Barangay at Simbahan (UBAS),” the Department of the Interior and Local Government 12 (DILG-12) has conducted an orientation workshop to the members of the Barangay Action Teams (BATs) of Tacurong City on Thursday, officials said.
Held at the Formation Center of Nuestra Señora dela Candelaria Parish, the orientation gathered more than 80 members of BATs from the 20 barangays composed of Barangay chairpersons, chapel leaders and representatives of barangay-based civil society organizations.
The creation of BATs in the city, notably the first in the region, is mandated by Executive Orders issued by the Punong Barangays.
It was also an offshoot of the commitment of the Liga ng mga Barangay together with the DILG, Archdiocese of Cotabato and the Inter-Faith Group of Tacurong during the UBAS launching in February.
UBAS is a partnership of barangays, faith-based organization and the DILG which encourages citizens’ active participation in governance, thus institutionalizing transparency and accountability the local government.
Meanwhile, BATs are specifically tasked to monitor the proper implementation of the projects under Bottom Up Budgeting (BUB) and other engagements in the barangay, to achieve the goal of curbing corruption and promoting good governance.
DILG-12 UBAS focal person Jermie Erie-Yeager provided the participants with inputs on the BUB process and engagement of UBAS in BUB projects monitoring. BAT members were also taught on how to fill out BUB Monitoring Forms.
DILG City Director Alberto Sero Jr. also talked on the role of the barangays in promoting good governance.
The workshop included the drafting of action plan by each BAT that includes the schedule of ocular inspection of BUB-funded projects in the barangays as well as the conduct of interview to project beneficiaries among others.
Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division Chief Ester Valdez, who represented DILG Regional Director Reynaldo Bungubung during the event, commended the attentiveness and dynamism of the participants in the whole-day activity.
“Your presence is a clear indication of your willingness to partner with the government in pursuing ‘Matuwid na Daan,'” Valdez said as she relayed the message of the DILG Director.
Mayor Lina Montilla also urged the BAT members to be committed in their tasks saying that the effective monitoring is a key ingredient in the proper implementation of government projects.
The whole-day orientation wrapped up with the talk of Father Zaldy Robles on “I Vote for Good Advocacy” which gives the citizens of the community a guide on what to look for a leader who possesses the qualities of an honest and efficient public servant. pna
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