Egay Uy .
THE barangay folks will go out on May 14 to elect their village leaders. The decisions whom to install in the vacant barangay offices could either be due to the competence and dedication of the candidates, the connections of the candidates (friends, relatives, and the like) or how much the candidates have spent before and during the campaign period.
No, I’m not insinuating the candidates are buying votes but reality is they have to shell out money that is either hard-earned or donated to them for their campaign expenses. The voters may be indifferent where the money came from but it is important that they vote for the candidates who have the competence and dedication, not merely the connections and the money, to become true barangay leaders.
A barangay official, first and foremost must be aware of, and is willing to do justice to, the Local Government Code provisions on what they are supposed to be and to do. I’m sure they know that the LGC provides that barangay officials are mandated to assist the city mayor implement local ordinances within their respective barangays, regardless of color, race or creed, so to speak.
Section 389 of the LGC requires, among other provisions, the barangay chairpersons to enforce all laws and ordinances that are applicable within their barangays and to assist the city mayor and city council in the performance of their duties and functions, one of which is the implementation of laws and ordinances.
On the other hand, Section 391 requires barangay councilors to assist the barangay chairperson in discharging his duties and functions, one of which is to assist the city mayor implement ordinances.
These again should be regardless of the color, race or creed of the city mayor or other city officials.
These are not difficult to understand and to do. One who offers himself or herself “to serve the public” ought to commit to this mandate and examine himself if he is capable of doing these basic tasks. If he is not, then he better think twice about offering to serve.
Reality check tells us that once in office, not every elected barangay official does justice to the Local Government Code mandate. It would have been easy, very easy, for the city officials to perform their duties and functions if and only if all barangay officials also serve as they have promised during the campaign.
For example, if we have 100 square meters and we have 100 people to tend to it, and each and every person does what is supposed to be done to his assigned one square meter, then the entire area of 100 square meters will be as livable, peaceful, orderly, etc., as desired by all.
How about it, sirs and madams? These also lie primarily in our hands. Let’s vote wisely.
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