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Written Report in
TSS 3B (Teaching Social Studies in Elementary Grades
(Philippine History & Government)

Rohanna M. Muksan, LPT

COURSE INSTRUCTOR

Prepared by:

Madzreha G. Taib
STUDENT

Origin of the Word Barangay …………………………..

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Barangay Laws ………………………………………………..

Barangay as an Ancient Community ……………….

Duties and Rights of the People ……………………..

The Origin of the Word Barangay

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During the early period, Filipinos already possessed their own identity. They
have their own culture, they have the family-oriented traits and good family
ties. There are laws to follow, and the leader of the communities are there to
guide and to protect its people.

• BARANGAY AS AN ANCIENT COMMUNITY

Filipino today live in Barangay. The Barangay is the smallest political unit of
government today. But the term barangay originated among the early Filipinos,
the ancient Filipinos lived in communities composed of families, this
community was called barangay.

• ORIGIN OF THE WORD BARANGAY

The migration of Austronesian from Southern China became possible because

of their knowledge of navigation and boat-building. They were able to reach
the island through their boat called balangay. According to historian Jaime B.
Veneracion, the concept of Barangay as a community was derived from the
concept of balangay.

According to the Spanish chronicler, Juan De Plasencia, the tagalogs had their
own leader. The leader was called datu, who also served as the leader in war.
Each barangay was composed of 30-100 families.

• BARANGAY LAWS

The earliest laws of our ancestors were mostly oral handed down from one
generation to another. These were made up of traditions, beliefs, practices, and
customs. Our ancestors made a lot of laws.

► SOME OF THE WRITTEN LAWS OF OUR ANCESTORS:

1. The leader of the Barangay should be respected;

2. Creditors should pay on time;
3. Everyone should be hardworking. Those who are found lazy will become slaves;
4. Couples should only have two offspring so that they can sufficiently provide for their
needs;
5. The crime of murder is punishable by death; and
6. A finger will be cut from anywhere who will be caught stealing.
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DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE

• Every member of the barangay had his rights and corresponding duties which were in
accordance with their beliefs and traditions.

DUTIES

1. Respect and obey the Datu.

2. Be loyal to the Datu.

RIGHTS

1. Choose the livelihood he would like to engage in.

2. Choose his life partner.