DILG trains Iligan newly elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials after taking their oath

Mr. Verne Padilla (left), and Ms. Ma. Maida B. Daniot, City Director DILG, during the training orientation of newly elected Barangay and SK officials.

BY JUN ENRIQUEZ, Digital-Mobile Journalist

ILIGAN CITY – Oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials was conducted on 20 November 2023 held at the city public plaza, this city. The said event was spearheaded by the Local government of IIigan City in cooperation with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and attended by the newly elected 21 Barangay chairmen and barangay councilors, SK chairmen and SK councilors as a result of the 30 October 2023 elections.

Ms. Ma. Maida B. Daniot, City Director of the DILG Iligan City, congratulated the newly elected Barangay and SK officials in Iligan City. She said by taking the oath of office declaring the election reflect not only transforming personal achievement but also the trust and confidence bestowed upon the elected officials by the residents of their community. Daniot also emphasized “remember that you are stepping into road that carry of the dream of your fellow Iliganons, your commitment to the public service in the betterment of our barangay has not done unnoticed.”

The oath-taking ceremony symbolizes a statement of covenant between the elected officials and the community they now represent. In embracing responsibility on the new position, Daniot urged them to foster the environment of collaboration and inclusivity, “pagtinabangay, panaghiusa, ug samasama sa inyohang kabarangayan.” Strength lies on the unity and by working together the community can overcome any challenges along the way. In her advised, Daniot said “understand your concerns guided by genuine desire to improve the lives of those you will serve. Daniot added in her statement, decisions will be guided critically to uphold the principles of good governance, transparency and accountability to gain positive change. ‘Ang inyong pag panumpa karon nagsimbolo nga inyong gidawat ang bug-at nga responsibilidad aron makab-ot ug mapalahotay ang kaayohan sa inyong barangay.’ Your leadership will undoubtedly change the present and future of Iligan City Steadfast in your barangay.” Finally Daniot said “May you turn into achievements, unity, steadfast commitments in your barangay. Your journey in public service will have the support and will wishes of the entire community”

In another message, Iligan City Vice Mayor Marianito Dodong Alemania congratulated the newly elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials. He emphasized to forget political bickering of issues and avoid political colors. Alemania said, the Siao-Alemania administration including the 18^th council is ready to serve you. He said it is in the hope that people will not forget of your promises during the campaign. The promises should be realized to serve the people in your respective barangay. Vice Mayor Alemania stated his slogan, “Maghiusa Magtinabangay Dakbayan Alagaran (MMDA), while in the Barangay he said, it is called “Maghiusa Magtinabangay Barangay Alagaran (MMBA).”

The Oath-taking ceremony was led by Mayor Frederick Saio. There were at least 21 elected Barangay chairmen present during the event together with elected barangay councilors and chairmen of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and SK councilors.

Mayor Siao also congratulated the newly elected barangay and SK officials, Acknowledges the presence of other national government agencies, DILG, PNP and local officials. The newly elected Barangay and SK officials are the legislative body in respective barangay government, to legislate barangay laws to uplift the lives of the people in its barangay, to work within the bounds of their duties and responsibilities. It’s not only to attend burials, weddings, parties but should work to serve the constituencies and solve the problem that exists in your respective barangay.

Siao advised the new SK officials cited the Local government code section 426 states that the SK council should create a resolution and programs for social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, physical, moral and spiritual development. The SK chairman is an ex-officio member of the Barangay council representing the SK of the Barangay. The SK leaders are the future leaders of the country.

Article 2, section 13 states that the state recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect the physical, spiritual, moral and social being, and shall perform patriotism and nationalism, and encourage in the involvement in public and civic affairs. The SK officials shall be the good example of the youth especially in Iligan City.

There are four Barangay chairmen who were awarded PHP 1 Million worth of projects for being unopposed during the Barangay election 2023. They are the Barangays of Lanipao Chairman Abdullah Maruhom, Barangay Tomas Cabili Chairman Cesarve Siacor, the incumbent Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) President. Siacor said, political unity is needed for peace and development, set aside political color, and importance of sincerity in public service, model leadership as elected by the people, Siacor added that he has no ambition for higher positions in politics. Another Barangay chairman Anton Pacana, and barangay Panoroganan Chairman Amando Mansumayan, were elected unopposed.

During the event, there was a group of motorcycles motorcaded in the city with red balloons without permission. They were able to stop at the sideline of the public plaza along Aguinaldo street and blowing their horns and accelerated their motorcycle machines to create noise. This coincided during and created disturbance during the prayer time of the Oathtaking program. The traffic enforcers and police assigned in the area advised them to stop blowing their horns and accelerating their machines and left the area for good.

On the following day, the DILG office trained the newly elected barangay officials on their required duties in the first 100 days of their term, held at Plaza Alemania hotel, this city, includes the inventory of the barangay properties. They were also taught the qualifications to appoint a secretary and treasurer of the Barangay LGU. Likewise, what to do with the barangay health workers whose term also has ended.

They discussed the duties of the inaugural session, the implementation of the Internal Rules and Procedures, and the creation of the committees. They also learned about the special bodies of the barangay or the barangay-based institutions.

 

“They know what to do once they assume office and they know also the requirements of the DILG. First thing, first they need to submit to the DILG their oath of office, their certificate of assumption,” said Ms. Daniot, Director DILG, Iligan City. With reports by Jenifer Bagonbon and Mar Sabate.