Robredo inducts morethan 2000 Barangay and SK officicials in Ozamiz

OZAMIZ CITY--LOCAL Government Secretary Jess M. Robredo on November 25 inducted into office more than 2,000 reelected and newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials in the Oct. 25, 2010 elections.

Robredo administered the oath taking of 2,080 barangay and SK officials from Ozamiz City, Clarin, Tudela and Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental.

Ozamiz City has 51 barangay chairperson, 51 SK chairmen, 357 barangay councilors and 357 SK councilors. Clarin has a total number of 464 barangay and SK officials, Tudela; 528 and Sinacaban 271.

In her welcome remarks, Ozamiz City mayor Nova Princess Parojinog-Echavez thanked Robredo for coming to Ozamiz and pledging support to the Aquino administration.
She also urged the Barangay and SK officials to be the leverage for social transformation in Ozamiz City.

Robredo, who was guest of honor and keynote speaker in the mass oath taking, introduced by Director Loreto Bhagwani, DILG regional director X.

In his address, Robredo urged the barangay officials to work closely with the municipal government in order that programs and projects they plan to undertake are well coordinated and get implemented the soonest possible time.

He admonished the barangay and SK officials to exercise their duties and responsibilities the best way they should, pointing out that executive and legislative functions inherent in their positions should not be abused, rather must be carried out always in favor of the greater number of people living in their respective communities.

"Barangay and SK officials should always bear in mind that in initiating and implementing programs and projects for your constituencies, there is need to involve people in your communities to ensure achieving success," Robredo said.
The DILG chief particularly cited expenditure of barangay funds, which should be done with the involvement of the residents to make things very transparent, "otherwise, you will be suspected of engaging in irregular transactions."

"In other words, you should administer your respective barangays with utmost dedication, transparency and commitment not only to ensure succeeding in every undertaking, but more importantly, to keep the trust and confidence of your constituencies."

Robredo cited his experience as mayor of Naga City where all the programs and projects he designed and implemented benefited fully the residents of his city. As a result, his administration has been cited not only by other towns and cities nationwide, but gained approval by different international agencies.

Ozamiz City vice-mayor Rolando Romero together with Clarin, Municipal Mayor David Navarro and Tudela Vice-mayor Samuel Parojinog aministered the giving of tokens to the DILG secretary.(NEPTALIE BATOLENIO)