SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna –A former official of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) here has called on incumbent barangay (village) chiefs to organize their respective barangay transition team owing to the forthcoming synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on May 14 this year.
Melinda P. Bondad, former CPDO assistant coordinator and now the city’s public employment service office (PESO) manager, reminds incumbent barangay chairmen to form their respective transition team early enough. This is for the city planning office to formulate the comprehensive multi-sectoral development plan that will be initiated by the local government unit such as barangays.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec), under Resolution No. 10246 dated January 15, has set the election period from April 14 until May 21 and the campaign period from May 4 to 12.
Aspiring village leaders are also expected to file their certificates of candidacy from April 14 to 20 and the documentary requirements such as clearance from the barangay treasurer before he/she ends her term and the Statement of Contributions and Election Expenses (SOCE) they are bound to comply and their activities in the heat of the campaign.
Bondad reminded those aspiring or seeking re-election in the barangay elections to form their respective transition teams for the proper turnover of the barangay development council plan and the reconstitution of the members of the council upon their oath of office and assumption to the post by June 30.
“If elected, the village chair should be able to designate members of the barangay development council which crafts the development plan as guide for the development and stability of the community he/she is bound to govern,” Bondad said.
She said that under the Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of the Philippines, no project should be funded by the barangay without passing through the approved Barangay Development Plan.
The transition team is meant to facilitate the smooth turnover of the reigns in the village governance considering that the local development council’s functions are to mobilize people’s participation in local development efforts; craft the barangay development plans based on local requirements; monitor and evaluate the implementation of both national and local programs and projects and other functions provided by law or competent authority.
She added that the transition team facilitates the turnover of official documents, equipment, finances and other records and reports. (PNA)
