Why choosing our barangay leaders is important TODAY marks another day when all of us -- rich or poor, big or small -- get to be on the same level as we all are allowed to vote but once for our barangay leaders. How important is this day? Many may not realize it, but choosing who to lead our respective barangays plays a highly significant role in shaping the destiny of the city where we belong and that of the nation as well. While the barangay happens to be the smallest unit of government indeed, the power and influence being wielded these days by the punong barangays, or barangay chairmen, cannot be undermined. Under the law and normal circumstances, barangay chairmen are entitled to a measly P1,000 monthly honorarium while the sanggunian members, including the barangay secretary and treasurer, P600. The said amount though may be subject to increases and or adjustments as the case may be. But of course, we all know by now that those rates no longer apply as the honoraria stretch up to five figures already in most barangays. Aside from the monetary benefits, barangay authorities also get to enjoy Christmas bonuses as well as hospitalization and educational benefits for themselves and their immediate family members. If they get lucky and depending on the number of years they have served, they may even be conferred civil service eligibility and as such may be appointed to government position where they may qualify. Such eligibility would entitle them to higher and better-paying positions and a lot more, depending if they are ‘BFFs’ or best friends forever with the sitting mayor or governor. A barangay chairman is like a ‘little king’ with his own turf to govern. He gets to decide how to spend the budget allocation for his barangay or the internal revenue allocation, which is a certain percentage of the entire income generated by his barangay. Sadly, on the side, the barangay chairman also has in his hands the power to run illegal activities such as gambling, prostitution and drug dens. To ensure the unhampered ‘operation’ of such money-making activities, the barangay chairman -- depending on how thick-faced he or she may be -- may also push for the installation of his or her favored police officer to handle the precinct or station under which his barangay falls. The sitting mayor or governor, banking and to ensure that the chairman will support his reelection or bid for another position in case his term was ending, is likely left with no other choice but to give in to the request. As we know it, nobody does something for nothing, especially in politics where quid pro quo is always the name of the game. That barangay chairmen enjoy such vast powers and influence that even the so-called powers-that-be in our respective cities and municipalities tend to kowtow to what they want, is what makes today’s barangay elections very, very important. Exercise your right to Vote... We should be highly discerning who we vote for by first, making sure that the candidate indeed is a bonafide resident for how can an ‘outsider’ be truly concerned with what happens in your barangay? Let us also see to it that the barangay chairman we are voting for is not there to enrich himself and has an untainted reputation when it comes to corrupt practices. Avoid bootlickers who color their barangay halls based on the color preference of the mayor or governor. Also, don’t discount the lowly barangay kagawad. Choose them well too. These kagawads usually end up running as chairman. Barangay chairmen, on the other hand, normally aspire for council seats and when they succeed, they either end up as congressmen and later, vice mayor or mayor. So, be wise and don’t let that vote of yours go down the drain. Don’t let the powers vested in barangay chairmen fall into the wrong hands.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Oct 2013 03:00:25 +0000
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