What are the duties and responsibilities of your barangay leaders?

The last time Filipinos went to the polls to elect their barangay leaders was on May 14, 2018.

In preparation for voting your barangay’s next officers, here are some reminders on the powers and responsibilities you will entrust to the community’s next barangay leaders.

According to the Local Government Code of the Philippines, there shall be in each barangay:

• 1 Punong Barangay (elective)
• 7 Sangguniang Barangay members (a.k.a. Barangay Kagawad) (elective)
• 1 Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson (elective)
• 1 Barangay secretary (appointive)
• 1 Barangay treasurer (appointive)
• Lupong Tagapamayapa (appointive members)

The Punong Barangay or Barangay Chairperson shall have the following duties:

Peace and Order

• enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within the barangay
• maintain public order in the barangay (assists the city or municipal mayor and the Sanggunian members in the performance of their duties and functions)
• organize and lead an emergency group when necessary for the maintenance of peace and order or on occasions of emergency or calamity within the barangay

Social Services

• ensure the delivery of basic services
• promote the general welfare of the barangay
• administer the operation of the Katarungang Pambarangay

Administrative Duties

• negotiate, enter into, and sign contracts for and in behalf of the barangay, upon authorization of the Sangguniang Barangay
• call and preside over the sessions of the Sangguniang Barangay and the barangay assembly, and votes only to break a tie
• appoint or replace the barangay treasurer, the barangay secretary, and other appointive barangay officials upon approval by a majority of all the members of the Sangguniang Barangay
• prepare the annual executive and supplemental budgets of the barangay in coordination with the barangay development council
• approve vouchers relating to the disbursement of barangay funds

Other Duties

• exercise general supervision over the activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan
• enforce laws and regulations relating to pollution control and protection of the environment
• conduct an annual palarong barangay
• exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance

The Sangguniang Barangay (legislative body of the barangay) shall have the following responsibilities:

Ordinances, finance-related duties

• enact ordinances such as those necessary to discharge the responsibilities conferred upon it by law or ordinance; ordinances to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants; tax and revenue ordinances
• enact annual and supplemental budgets
• solicit or accept funds, materials, voluntary labor for public works and cooperative enterprises
• provide compensation, reasonable allowances or per diems as well as travel expenses for Sangguniang Barangay members and other barangay officials
• hold fund-raising activities for barangay projects without the need of securing permits from any national or local office or agency
• authorize the punong barangay to enter into contracts in behalf of the barangay
• authorize the barangay treasurer to make direct purchases in an amount not exceeding P1,000.00 at any one time for the ordinary and essential administrative needs of the barangay
• prescribe fines in amounts not exceeding P1,000.00 for violation of barangay ordinances
• provides for the administrative needs of the lupong tagapamayapa and the pangkat ng tagapagkasundo

Social services

• provide for the construction and maintenance of barangay facilities and other public works projects
• submit to the Sangguniang Panlungsod/Bayan suggestions or recommendations for the improvement of the barangay or for the welfare of its inhabitants
• regulate the use of public structures within the barangay’s jurisdiction (e.g. multi-purpose halls, multi- purpose pavements, grain or copra dryers, patios and other post-harvest facilities, barangay waterworks, barangay markets, parking areas, etc.) and charge reasonable fees for their use
• adopt  measures to prevent and control the proliferation of squatters and mendicants in the barangay
• provide for the proper development and welfare of children in the barangay
• adopt measures towards the prevention and eradication of drug abuse, child abuse, and juvenile delinquency
• initiate the establishment of a barangay high school, whenever feasible
• organize regular lectures, programs, or fora on community problems such as sanitation, nutrition, literacy, and drug abuse, and convene assemblies to encourage citizen participation in government
• provide for the establishment of a non-formal education center in the barangay whenever feasible
• provide for the delivery of basic services

Other duties

• assist in the establishment, organization, and promotion of cooperative enterprises
• provide for the organization of community brigades, barangay tanod, or community service units
• exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance
• assist the punong barangay in the discharge of his duties and functions
• act as peace officers in the maintenance of public order and safety
• performs such other duties and functions as the punong barangay may delegate

The Barangay Secretary

• appointed by the Punong Barangay with the concurrence of the majority of all the Sangguniang Barangay members
• of legal age, a qualified voter and an actual resident of the Barangay concerned
• may not be a Sangguniang Barangay member, a government employee, or a relative of the Punong Barangay within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity
• keeper of official records of the barangay (e.g. records and minutes of of Sangguniang Barangay and Barangay assembly meetings; updated record of all inhabitants of the Barangay)
• assist the civil registrar in the registration of births, deaths, and marriages

Barangay Treasurer

• appointed by the punong barangay with the concurrence of the majority of all the Sangguniang Barangay members
• shall be of legal age, a qualified voter, and an actual resident of the Barangay concerned
• may not be  a Sangguniang Barangay member, a government employee, or a relative of the punong barangay within the fourth civil degree of consanguinity or affinity
• shall be bonded in accordance with existing laws in an amount to be determined by the Sangguniang Barangay but not exceeding P10,000, premiums for which shall be paid by the Barangay

Duties include, among others

• keep custody of barangay funds and properties
• collect and issue official receipts for barangay taxes, fees, etc. and depositing the collections in the account of the barangay
• disburse barangay funds

Lupong Tagapamayapa

• composed of the punong barangay as chairperson and 10-20 members appointed by the punong barangay
• exercise administrative supervision over conciliation panels and meeting once a month to provide a forum for matters relevant to the amicable settlement of disputes
• exercise other powers and perform other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance

—GMA Integrated News Research/NB, GMA Integrated News