Wanted: Solon for the barangays

The voice that any member of the House of Representatives will bring before the hall of this august body would be that of the district he is representing. But there is this voiceless multitude, the barangays. To describe a community leader as “just a barangay captain” is to do a disservice to all village chiefs who attend to the constituents’ needs 24/7. How many congressmen would admit to have this line of thought? The punong barangay is not only admittedly inferior but today has become marginalized and underrepresented. While there were those who rose from their ranks to get elected, yet, destiny is just so unkind. It is only in a comedy sitcom of a TV network that gives a Kapitan such an accolade, personified by a famous actor cum politician. With all the musings of the defunct Idol ko si Kap however, it would appear it was more of a Captain Barbell than a barangay captain that it intended to depict.

                Barangay affairs will always be a serious matter. Barangay captains when they act always mean business to a certain extent that they consume themselves in the process. There may be a lack of voice of ambition on why “only a barangay captain?” and not consider pursuing another trail in politics leading to some higher office? But it is in this position that each of our Kapitans has found dignity and respect. They fight the daily struggle of survival within their respective domains. Significantly, they cannot hide from the basic realities confronting their small territory. Once a lone voice in the wilderness, today people have to think deeply on what would give them more benefits after the 2013 elections. This incoming election could channel a formula that would change the direction of barangay management. This can only be realized by putting a credible person through the party-list system to represent the voice of the 42, 000 barangays in the country.

                The Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod Party with the specific directive from Acting Mayor Rodrigo Duterte gives its support to Former Secretary of Justice Bebot Bello being the first nominee under 1-BAP (Barangay Atong Pauswagon) Partylist. Upon Atty. Bello’s hands lie the better future of the barangays which are in dire need of change, may it be an overhaul of the whole system. One remarkable agenda outlined by 1-BAP is the giving of teeth to our barangay justice system. Bello’s experience in the many years of government service, especially in the legal department, could boost practically the confidence of all lupong tagapamayapa chiefs. He led a no nonsense campaign to eradicate corruption in the justice department when he was Secretary of Justice under the Corazon Aquino administration. 1-BAP therefore is poised to strike at the core of service to spark a very meaningful change leading towards a more developed barangays in the country. Logic tells us, when there is peace in the basic unit such as the barangay, peace and order problem can be a thing of the past in the municipality or city.

                A few years back, I had been privileged to give assistance to do the menial tasks in the preparation of some paper works of a barangay for its entry in the Best Lupong Tagapamayapa contest regularly conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The decision came out and the barangay was declared champion. I only got a Certificate of Recognition but it was such a pleasure to be part of that endeavor. It was a forgotten deed but the helpful hands of barangay folks are still fresh in my memory. Their dedication to work was extra-ordinary. When people give 1-BAP a chance, they will see for themselves the difference.