ILOILO CITY — The Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) in this city is encouraging more women to run for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections this May.
Lawyer Ferdinand Panes, DILG director for Iloilo City, lamented that fewer women are occupying elective positions compared to men, expressing hope that more would take interest this election so as to give “voice to women”.
Only 30 percent or 54 of 180 punong barangays in Iloilo City are women, and 35 percent or 440 of the 1,260 barangay councilors are female.
Panes said it is “definite” that elections would push through, adding that their office has intensified their advocacy campaign in coordination with the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“Prepare yourselves for those who are intending to run. We encourage more women candidates,” he said.
For the May 2018 elections, 68 punong barangays (chairmen) and more than 200 barangay kawagads (councilmen) are no longer qualified to run for reelection because they have served for three consecutive terms.
Panes also reiterated the advisory of DILG Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año to be wary of the scam wherein those who are interested to get a possible appointment for a barangay position are asked to shell out some money.
He also urged the public not to vote for candidates with alleged links to illegal drugs as this is one way to fight the drug problem.
He added that it is difficult to take action against incumbent officials allegedly linked to illegal drugs due to lack of evidence. (Perla Lena/PNA)
