|
Barangay officials slammed over "costly"
Baguio congress
Barangay
officials are now the subjects of criticism after the public
has raised objections regarding their conduct of a provincial
congress set on September 13-15 in Baguio City.
The
conference will be attended by barangay captains and some
barangay kagawads from the 1,109 barangays in the province.
According
to Liga ng mga Barangay Bohol federated president Dr. Romulo
Cepedoza, during an interview over dyRD's "Inyong Alagad",
each participant would have to spend from P15,000 to P20,000
for travel expenses, hotel accommodation, meals and venue
fees.
|
|
|
This
statement drew a barrage of comments from radio listeners
who said the junket is too expensive and inappropriate
since the terms of office of barangay officials are
supposed to end with the holding of elections next month.
Cepedoza,
however, brushed aside these criticisms saying that
the barangay congress is an opportunity for barangay
officials to learn more and improve their capability
in running the affairs in their villages.
As
of Friday, about 50% of 1,109 punong barangays have
confirmed their attendance in said conference which
will be held at the Veniz Hotel in Baguio City, the
Liga president bared.
|
Some
listeners observed that there are many convention centers
and resorts here in the province where the barangay congress
can be held.
According
to Cepedoza, the Baguio gathering is conducted to hold a seminar
on governance and the prevention of juvenile crimes and the
implementation of the new juvenile justice welfare law.
Cepedoza
explained that majority of barangay captains agreed to hold
the congress in Baguio City.
In
fact, he added, Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG) provincial director Rusitca Mascariñas "interposed
no objection" to the holding of such activity provided
that some guidelines set by the DILG is properly observed.
A
DILG memorandum circular requires that expenditures such as
trainings, seminars and lakbay arals should be included in
the barangay's financial and investment plan and should not
be charged against the 20% development fund.
According
to Cepedoza, the convention in Baguio will tackle "The
State of the Barangays in the Philippines and Updates of Liga
ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas," the salient features of
the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act of 2006, "Promoting
Increased Community Resource Mobilization through Livelihood
and Entrepreneurship" and On Site Visitation on Galing
Pook Awardees and Model Projects for Replication."
Barangay
chairmen who are in their last term of office will also be
awarded and given recognition, Cepedoza said. (With reports
from Ric Obedencio)
|
