The barangay election season has drawn to a close. We are optimistic about the effective performance of the elected candidates.
One striking observation is that many voters remain unfamiliar with the roles of barangay officials. Voters tend not to have high expectations regarding the election’s impact on their lives; instead, personal connections take precedence. Navigating this stage can be challenging, as voters need to recognize the importance of having capable, compassionate, and courageous representatives.
Barangays are the government entities closest to the people, and their significance extends far beyond merely organizing sports events or maintaining peace, order, and beautification. It is crucial to ensure that every project and initiative serves the best interests of the community. To identify the most beneficial projects, it is imperative for each barangay to maintain well-organized community data, encompassing socioeconomic, health information, and disaster-related data. Transparency and community engagement in fund allocation are equally essential in this endeavor.
In an ideal scenario, residents of barangays should have access to accessible housing, health care, and education. Barangays can play a pivotal role in ensuring that majority of their informal settler residents gain access to housing programs offered by the local and national governments by facilitating the process and acting as mobilizers. In terms of health care, it is imperative to allocate resources not only for beautification and fumigation but also for well-equipped health centers, ambulances, and a proficient medical staff, which would be truly remarkable.
Regarding education, particularly for the younger generation, shifting the focus from sports initiatives to fostering community learning hubs that provide free internet access, printing facilities, and opportunities to borrow books would hold significant value.
However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the predominant challenge in realizing these ideals is the scarcity of funding. Officials must proactively seek additional funding and resources from local and national government sources. It is equally important to avoid being mere instruments in the hands of larger politicians during city, provincial, and national elections. Additionally, local and national governments should adopt responsive policies, programs, and services that cater to the needs of the people. Collaborations with academic institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and private entities with corporate social responsibility programs can significantly contribute to raising funds and implementing programs.
The effectiveness and sustainability of these programs and services ultimately depend on an empowered community. Empowerment involves marginalized communities actively participating in the decision-making process, understanding their rights, and recognizing the role of government institutions in all phases of planning, budgeting, and decision-making.
Our hope is that every voter will gain a deeper understanding of the roles and potential of not only barangay officials but also all government officials. Our goal is to shift away from merely considering proximity to candidates as the sole basis for judgment. We aspire to witness elected representatives evolving into genuine frontliners in public service, wholeheartedly dedicated to improving the lives of their constituents.
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Kreeger Bonagua is a registered social worker and a community organizer.