MORE THAN half of the total 610 candidates are re-elected to the position of barangay chairmanship in the region, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) XI revealed.
Also, a maximum of three-week transition period is set for newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials (BSKOs) to properly and smoothly assume office.
During the AFP-PNP press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel yesterday, DILG XI director Alex Roldan said the 610 barangay heads were reelected, representing 52.50% of the total, while 541 which is 46.55 percent were new candidates.
“So, you would note that a significant portion sa ato ang napiling kapitan karon mga bag-o,” Roldan said.
In Davao City alone, 112 or 61.5% of the 182 barangays were reelectionists while only 70 or 38.46% were newly elected.
“Ang nakalingkod minus one kay naa gipatay gahapon na supposedly mag oathtaking karong adlawa sya pa gyud nag suggest nga mag barong sa mass oathtaking pero niabot sa ingon ana,” he said.
The official explained that the barangay election should not result in polarization but, unfortunately, influential politicians have their respective candidates to control their turfs.
“I’m saddened kay naga regress atong election. To just emphasize, grabe ang pinalitay ako mismo nakakita so murag masubo ta kay wala naman unta na kaayo ato nilabay election karon lang (I’m saddened because our election is regressing. To just emphasize, vote buying is prevalent. I saw it myself, so we are disappointed because it wasn’t as brazen in previous elections),” he added.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos earlier said that a maximum three-week transition period is set for newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials (BSKOs) to properly and smoothly assume office.
He explained that the allotted transition period is crucial as it will spell the difference between whether the incoming officials can immediately buckle down to work or not.
To ensure a smooth transition, Abalos announced the issuance of DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2023-166, which newly-elected SK and barangay officials can use as a guide prior to and during their assumption.
Likewise, outgoing BSKOs were instructed to submit the final inventory of the Barangay and SK properties, financial records, documents, and properties (PFRDs), and money accountabilities and to ensure turnover of the same to the incoming or newly elected BSKOs.
“Immediately after the election, they should assume office because if you extend it as if you are adding the term,” Roldan added.
“The turnover is very important because the barangay chairman has financial obligations and properties in the barangay, what is the condition on that, if it is not accepted the newly elected chairman cannot make his/her move,” he further said.
By Nov. 20, all newly elected barangay officials should assume their office immediately. He said they already sent advisories to the municipalities on the transition teams to assist in the barangays.
Meanwhile, the interior and local government director said they have also seen a problem with the Sangguniang Kabataan in complying with the additional requirements before they can assume office.
He said the elected SK should undergo mandatory training, a prerequisite to holding office.
“Kay gi target ang federation election on the 15th, which is 15 days after the election and provincial election, 30 days after the election,” he added.
