DILG issues guidelines for the conduct of assembly

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of the Interior and Local Government in the Cordillera Administrative Region ( DILG – CAR) urged barangay executives to strictly follow the guidelines in the conduct of Barangay Assembly for the second semester.

Araceli San Jose, assistant regional director of DILG – CAR said all barangays are allowed to conduct their barangay assembly day for the second semester of 2020 on any of the Saturdays or Sundays of October and November in compliance with DILG Circulars and in accordance with the policies and guidelines issued by the Inter- Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“It should also be in compliance with the enacted local ordinance/ s in line with the implementation of the community quarantine in the locality,” she said.

Barangay assembly may be conducted by utilizing the social media platforms, particularly via Facebook Live; Distribution of flyers, leaflets or similar materials within the barangay jurisdiction and through mobile announcement or radio guesting, whenever applicable.

San Jose said the conduct of barangay assembly is mandated by Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code which states that it should be conducted at least twice a year to hear and discuss the semestral report of the barangay concerning its activities and finances as well as problems affecting the barangay.

The DILG official also reminded that barangay officials’ failure to hold a Barangay Assembly can be a case for administrative complaint that may be filed by a concerned citizen or governmental or non- governmental entity before the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Bay

an or to the Office of the Ombudsman.

“The barangays are also enjoined to post or hang posters or banners bearing the Barangay Assembly Day Theme in conspicuous places in the barangay like the barangay hall, plaza, main street, transport terminals, public market or talipapa, and if available, in official website or FB page of the Barangay,” she said.

San Jose also encourages the barangays to live stream their assembly through Facebook Live and post pictures and videos of the assembly in various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram using the hash tag# barangay assembly second semester 2020. DILG – CAR release