The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Quirino has completed the thre e-day Basic Orientation for the Barangay Newly Elected Officials towards Grassroots Renewal and Empowerment for Accountable and Transparent Barangays Program or BNEO towards GREAT Barangays Program for the 132 barangays in the Province of Quirino.

Details on the schedule of the trainings are presented below:

Attended by barangay elective and appointive officials composed of Punong Barangays, Sangguniang Barangay Members, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Chairpersons, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representatives (IPMRs), Barangay Secretaries and Barangay Treasurers, the activity, managed by the DILG Quirino Cluster Operations in partnership with the Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) and the Local Government Units (LGUs), was conducted to lay the foundation for the barangay newly elected officials wherein basics of local governance is the main focus. It highlighted the mandates and functions of barangay officials in providing basic services that are in line with national government programs.

Specifically, topics discussed are Overview on the Local Government Code of 1991, Special Bodies and Barangay Based Institutions, Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Officials and Employees, Roles, Functions and Responsibilities of Barangay Officials, Barangay Legislation, Barangay Development Planning, Barangay Finance Administration, Barangay Budgeting, Procurement, Disbursement Process, Barangay Auditing and National Program Thrusts. The Cluster Head, Municipal Local Government Operations Officers (MLGOOs) and technical personnel from DILG Quirino Provincial Office served as Resource Speakers. Also invited to discuss before the participants are personnel from the Commission on Audit (COA).

Provincial Director Salvacion Z. Baccay stressed the importance of the training and further stated that by apprising barangay officials, we improve governance at the local level, create meaningful devolution and make barangay governments partners in sustaining the country’s growth momentum.

On the other hand, the Municipal Mayors, Vice Mayors and other officials who came to lend support to the activity encouraged their respective barangay officials to be active partners in local development. They explained that this training will give them the right direction in their barangay governance and development efforts.

Barangay Agenda for Governance and Development (BAGAD) was formulated by each of the participating barangays during the last day of the activity as their major reference for their take-off to public service. # LGOO II Blessing Grace G. Sagun