By Aurelio A. Galacgac
BAGUIO CITY, (PNA) — The Department of Interior and Local government (DILG) today said that barangay (village) chairmen and other officials here are among the best in country as shown by the various awards they have received especially in their role in the implementation of various developmental government programs.
City local government official Evelyn Trinidad made the observation to stress the need for voters to cast their votes for the forthcoming barangay officials who shall have direct coordination and governance in the implementation of government programs concerning health and social programs, public works, beautification and cleanliness, nutrition and the anti-poverty alleviation programs which include the conditional transfers to the poor.
”The barangay participation in Baguio was the key to the success of various government programs–something that is felt by the people especially in the grassroots level,” she explained.
As she made the assessment, she asked the city’s 146,230 registered voters to cast their votes “in this very important political exercise in the country.”
She said electorates in the country have all the time and opportunity to troop to the polls as President Benigno Aquino III issued proclamation number 565 declaring this day as a special non-working holiday.
She explained that barangay chairmen are exercising executive functions whereby as persons in authority, they are responsible for their villages’ peace and order, coordinated social programs, public works constructions and maintenance and other aspects of governance.
To this hour, Trinidad observed that many voters have yet to troop to the polls, thus he advised them to not wait for the 3 p.m. deadline to cast their votes.
At the central business district, traffic flow is slight as many vehicles have started to move outwards to the barangays where most of the polling places are located.