Barangay officials term to be extended to 6 years, says Guingona

By Gideon C. Corgue
OROQUIETA CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) Senator Teofisto TG D. Guingona III,
chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and a Mindanaoan on
Friday graced the 1st Congress of Mindanao Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB)
presidents held at the Provincial Farmers Cultural And Training Center here
Friday.
In his keynote message, Guingona told the LnB presidents that he had filed
Senate Bill No. 2390 otherwise known as An Act Extending the Term of
Barangay Officials to Six Years.
Guingona recognized the vital role of barangay officials as responsible
persons in delivering basic services to their neighborhoods. Unfortunately, he
said, they have to contend with political changes every three years as they
share the same term with city and national officials.
Guingona said the underlying reasons why he authored the bill are 1) to
minimize political interference and improve political stability, 2) to allow
barangay officials to focus on medium and long-term projects, and 3) to
maximize leadership training on administrative and fiscal management,
Katarungang Pambarangay, disaster risk reduction and management and
other trainings for barangay officials.
Guingona said he earnestly sought the support of Congress to extend the
term of barangay officials to six years to allow them to give more efficient,
productive and improved services to their constituents. The future of
barangay lies in the hands of the barangay officials, he added.
Pinasikad sa maong balaodnon, kamo unya ang magbuot kung unsaon
pagpalambo ang inyong hingtungdang barangay sa mamahimong gitas-on
sa inyong pagserbisyo.
(On the basis of this bill, you will be the one to decide how to improve your
respective barangays corresponding to the length of your service).
Guingonas announcement on the bill drew huge cheers and applause from
the delegates.
The LnB presidents are optimistic that the bill will be approved and signed
into law, adding it will give more benefits to barangay officials.
Among those present were Governor Herminia Ramiro, Vice Governor Aurora
Virginia Almonte, Leocadio Trovela, director of National Barangay Operations

Office, DILG personnel, Edmund Abesames- LnB national president, Tabak

commander BGen. Gerardo Abarrientos Jr., Chief Supt. Isagani Genabe Jr.PNP Regional Director and Gerard Hilarion M. Ramiro, president, LNBMisamis Occidental Chapter. (FPG/GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)