MANILA, (PNA) — Malacanang asked the people to participate in the upcoming barangay election this Monday underscoring the importance of governance at the grassroots level.
Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a press briefing on Friday at the Palace that voters must vote wisely, choosing the right leaders that will respond and guide them during times of need and emergency.
The people shouldn’t belittle the importance of barangay leadership, being the basic body of governance, she said. For instance, barangay officials serve huge functions during times of disasters, she said.
“Ang isipin natin ay kung sino ba ‘yung makakapagbigay at makakapagresponde doon sa mga pangangailangan ng ating komunidad. Kasi bago dumating ang provincial, bago dumating ang munisipyo, barangay dapat ang nandoon. So it’s very, very important,” she said.
“And we ask everybody to go out on Monday and to vote and make sure that your officials, the ones that you vote for will reflect your inclination towards your needs, and the needs of your community.”
To ensure peace and order for Monday’s barangay election, Valte said the Philippine National Police (PNP) raised its alert level nationwide Friday morning.
The PNP has so far documented a total of 51 election-related incidents, which it monitored from September 28 to October 24. The government’s aim is to lessen the number of election-related incidents throughout the country, Valte said.
In 2007, the total number of election-related incidents is 101, Valte reported. This covered the period from September 29 to November 13, 2007.