New DILG chief opposes postponement of barangay, SK polls | The Philippine Star >> News >> Headlines

New DILG chief opposes postponement of barangay, SK polls The Philippine Star >> News >> Headlines


New DILG chief opposes postponement of barangay, SK polls By Mike Frialde (The Philippine Star) Updated July 11, 2010 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines – Newly appointed Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo yesterday expressed his opposition to the proposal of Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections set for October this year to October 2012.
In an interview over dzRH radio, the former Naga City mayor stressed that the barangay and SK elections should push through as scheduled, as it would disrupt the “predictability” of the government’s planning process.
Zubiri has filed Senate Bill No. 60 seeking to reset the synchronized barangay and SK elections and extend the terms of office of barangay officials to five years in a bid to address the issue of effective governance and the implementation of long-term projects nationwide.
He said the barangay officials’ current three-year term affects the delivery of basic services, and that the additional two years he is recommending will also lessen government expense.
Some P13.5 billion was spent for the May 2010 nationwide automated elections, while the upcoming barangay and SK polls will cost the government at least P3.5 billion.
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Zubiri added that since barangay positions are non-partisan in nature and practice, there is no “great need for their election to be held in the same year as partisan national and local posts.”
Lawmaker: Consult the people
But newly elected Pangasinan second district Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil is urging his fellow lawmakers and other government officials to “consult the people on the ground” since their sentiment and opinions are vital.
“Let’s settle, normalize, when we’re up and about, then let’s go for it, 2011 or 2012, it doesn’t matter,” Bataoil said, quoting the opinions he gathered.
He said that the barangay and SK elections scheduled on October this year were supposed to be apolitical.
The former police officer-turned-politician also defended the Sangguniang Kabataan, saying it is a good training ground for youth leaders.
“The problem is, who are their role models? We who are leading them, are we good models? Are we leading them in the right direction? Are we giving them the right values, the right foundation?” he asked.
The best man for the job
Bataoil also hailed the appointment of Robredo as DILG secretary because “he will be able to influence, motivate and encourage all other public officials to follow his example and his good practices.”
“I have always been an advocate of role models for good governance and quality public service,” he said.
Lawmakers also acknowledged Robredo’s appointment, saying he is known for his “competence, experience and integrity.”
They said because of his qualifications, Robredo can competently supervise local government units, and promote peace and order in the country, which are among the main functions and powers of his department.
Oriental Mindoro Rep. Rodolfo Valencia said the new DILG secretary brings with him a wealth of experience in dealing with LGUs and their concerns, having been a local executive himself.
But Robredo’s best asset, according to Valencia, is his transparency and straightforwardness in dealing with the people. “This is what endeared him to the people. He is well-respected because of these qualities.”
He also cited that Robredo was the first Filipino mayor to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Government Service in 2000. “This is proof of his good and exemplary leadership as local executive.”
Robredo is also currently shortlisted for the World Mayor 2010 award sponsored by City Mayors, an international think tank on urban affairs.
Tarlac Rep. Jeci Lapus said President Aquino’s decision to name Robredo as DILG secretary was based on his trust that the former mayor is familiar with the work of the DILG chief and that he will function well.
“We welcome the appointment of Mayor Robredo whom everyone knows has the experience, competence and integrity to fulfill his challenging task as DILG secretary,” Lapus said.
Robredo, on the other hand, said that the DILG will serve as the showcase of the present administration’s drive against corruption in government.
He said he would organize the LGUs to serve as effective partners of the national government in his first 90 days in office.
He also said that under his helm, the DILG would be a showpiece of the current administration’s drive to weed out corruption in government.
The Kaya Natin! movement for good governance and ethical leadership hailed the appointment of Robredo, who was one of the movement’s covenors. “His appointment is a testament to Aquino’s pronouncements of only selecting the best and the brightest for his Cabinet. Moreover, Robredo also exemplifies what it truly means to become an effective, ethical and empowering leader as evidenced by how he has transformed Naga City from a sleepy third-class city to one of the most dynamic and progressive cities in the country,” they said in a statement.
Robredo was first elected mayor in 1988, making him the youngest city mayor of the Philippines at 29. His good leadership was acknowledged even abroad as it was during his term that Naga was named one of the “Most Improved Cities in Asia” by Asiaweek Magazine in 1999.
His other awards include: Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines (1990), Outstanding Young Persons of the World (1996), Konrad Adenauer Medal of Excellence as Most Outstanding City Mayor of the Philippines (1998), and the first Dangal ng Bayan Award of the Civil Service Commission.
Lingayen-Dagupan Emeritus Archbishop Oscar Cruz, founder of the Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Sugal (KBLS), also expressed satisfaction over Robredo’s appointment.
Cruz said he was confident that Robredo would strengthen the fight against the numbers’ game jueteng.
“Our advocacy versus jueteng has a valuable ally in his person and conviction,” he said.
The DILG secretary is considered an influential and powerful position because the head would have supervision not only over all the local government officials in the country, but also the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), National Police Commission (Napolcom) and the Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC).
One of those who earlier expressed interest in getting the post was Vice President Jejomar Binay, but he later told President Aquino that he is no longer interested in any Cabinet position.
“He is proven to be competent and an effective executive for a long time as proven with his governance over Naga City.” Cruz added that Robredo also possess unquestionable honesty and integrity.
Robredo finished his undergraduate degrees in Industrial Management Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at the De La Salle University. He obtained his Masters in Public Administration at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he was a fellow of the Edward Mason Program for foreign students.
He completed his Masters in Business Administration at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
When he returned to Naga City in 1986, he was appointed program director of the Bicol River Basin Program by the late former President Corazon Aquino. In 1995, he was elected president of the League of Cities of the Philippines. – With Evelyn Macairan, Paolo Romero, Eva Visperas