Barangay polls in ’07 has supporting law – DILG

Kalibo, Aklan -- Since the holding of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on October 2007 has a supporting law, elections should push through, according to Department of Interior and Local Government-Aklan Assistant Provincial Director Marina Ricaforte.

In supporting this view, APD Ricaforte is citing Republic Act No. 9340, which was enacted on September 22, 2005 and stipulates the resetting of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

“In fact, I believe all barangays, as directed by the DILG, has set aside a portion of their budget to be used for the coming elections,” Ricaforte said.

For their part, some barangay captains in Kalibo said they favor the holding of barangay elections this year.

Poblacion Kalibo Barangay Captain Peter Jene Lao said he favors the holding of the barangay elections to give others who are also capable to lead the barangay a chance to lead and serve, effect beneficial changes and initiate other developmental programs and services for the constituents, even as he can cite that his best accomplishments are the completion of the three-storey barangay hall, one of the tallest hall in the country; the procurement of a motorcycle patrol, maintenance of a rescue truck and instituting a solid waste management program together with the SK.

Lao also said new SK chairmen should be elected as some incumbent ones are already overaged for the position.

On the other hand, Andagao Barangay Captain Ronce Reyes said he favors a change in leadership in his barangay so other developmental projects could be introduced, or at least complete what he has started in Andagao – the concreting of most barangay roads which he cites are 75% completed, and the lighting of streets of the barangay.

Both Barangay Captains Lao and Reyes confirmed that their respective councils have already a reserved fund for the coming barangay polls.

Republic Act 9340 states that the subsequent synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections after the initial one held on July 15, 2002 is rescheduled on the last Monday of October 2007 and every three (3) years thereafter.

The term of office then of said officials elected in the October 2007 election and subsequent elections shall commence at noon of November 30 next following their election.

Section 8 provides that the amount necessary for the implementation of this law shall be taken from the appropriations of the Commission on Elections under the General appropriations Act and/or supplementary appropriations thereafter. In addition, the savings of the COMELEC not exceeding Php300 million shall be used to augment said appropriations.

On the part of the Department of Budget and Management, Secretary Andaya assured that some P2 billion has been reserved for the election of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials. “It is in the budget so wala tayong problema kung idadaos talaga yung eleksyon…Nakatabi na po …P2 billion for that electoral exercise…” Andaya said. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)