Setting the terms of office of barangay officials

Sen. Imee Marcos presides over the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation public hearing Wednesday, August 28, 2024, on the proposals setting the terms of office of barangay officials and synchronizing the Sangguniang Kabataan elections with the national and local elections. Marcos stressed that barangay officials play an important role in each and every one of the 42,004 barangays: enforcing laws and ordinances; maintaining public order; and ensuring the delivery of basic services. They are the frontline civil servants and primary public service providers. “The roles of barangay officials encompass those of mediator, peacemaker, social worker, rescue worker, representative of the people and leader of the entire community. They also have pivotal roles in planning and implementation of the policies and programs of the national government and the different LGUs,” she said. While the present term of three years is far too short, spending more than P20 billion (for the 2025 elections) within a period of two years is “too excessive,” she said, noting that the Commission on Elections required P18 billion during the 2023 barangay elections. (Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau)