By Mariela Angella Oladive
Despite heavy rains in the days leading up to the event, around 12,000 barangay officials from across Iloilo province gathered at the Iloilo Sports Complex on September 15 for the grand culmination of the Liga ng mga Barangay 2024.
With the theme “Connecting Barangays, Shaping Tomorrows,” the event highlighted the crucial role barangay officials play in the province’s development.
Liga ng mga Barangay President Amalia Victoria Debuque, in her welcome remarks, expressed gratitude to her fellow officials for their dedication and perseverance, acknowledging how the inclement weather tested their resolve.
“You know what, God-willing, we were able to push this through despite the challenges brought by the heavy rains,” Debuque said in a separate interview.
“This is a true testament to our unity as barangay officials. Rain or shine, morning or night, we are always here. Today is a celebration of barangay officials.”
National Liga ng mga Barangay President Jessica Dy, the guest of honor, emphasized the challenges faced by barangay officials, particularly being under-compensated, while commending their dedication to public service.
Dy also discussed ongoing Senate efforts to push for a six-year term extension for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials.
“All efforts are being made by our Liga to push for this six-year term adjustment,” she said.
On August 12, House Speaker Martin Romualdez and six other House leaders filed House Bill No. 10747, seeking to establish a fixed six-year term for barangay and SK officials to ensure continuity of programs and projects.
In his keynote address, Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. highlighted the significant role barangay officials play in achieving the administration’s vision for a “Bagong Pilipinas,” stressing that barangay officials are the engines of national progress.
“Barangay officials are the machinery that moves our towns, cities, and the entire nation forward,” he said.
Defensor also emphasized the “whole-of-the-province” approach under the Movement for a Robust, Progressive, Globally-Competitive, and Resilient Province of Iloilo (MoRProGRes) program, which relies on the cooperation of barangay officials and local chief executives to ensure progress.
The daylong event featured special performances, raffles, and an awards ceremony recognizing barangays that earned the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays (SGLGB) and the Lupong Tagapamayapa Incentives Awards (LTIA).
DILG-6 Regional Director Juan Jovian Ingeniero announced that out of 4,051 barangays in the region, only 66 passed the SGLGB, with 37 from Iloilo province. He congratulated the 37 national passers and encouraged the remaining 1,684 barangays to strive for the award next year.
The SGLGB is a performance assessment and recognition system designed to distinguish barangays across various performance areas and encourage continuous improvement for effective governance. The LTIA, meanwhile, grants economic and other incentives to Lupong Tagapamayapa for their exceptional contributions toward achieving the goals of Katarungang Pambarangay.
The event also featured a cultural showcase from Maasin’s Tultugan Festival dancers, and the iconic Filipino band Aegis brought the crowd to their feet with a live performance.
Notable attendees included Congressman Michael Gorriceta (2nd District, Iloilo), Congressman Jojo Ang (USWAG Ilonggo Partylist), 5th District Representative Raul Tupas, and key officials from various agencies, municipal mayors, provincial board members, and local officials.
