BAGUIO CITY – The new set of barangay officials numbering more than 1,000 took their oath of office in simple ceremonies held June 29 at the Baguio Athletic Bowl.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan presided over the mass induction attended by Rep. Marquez Go, members of the City Council and Interior and Local Government City Director Evelyn Trinidad.
In their messages, both Go and Domogan exhorted the barangay officials to espouse proper values in rendering service to their constituents.
“No one can put down a good leader no matter how they try,” Mayor Domogan declared.
He asked the barangay leaders to “continue to be part of the team” to work for the development of the City specifically urging them to be at the forefront of the City’s programs on peace and order, cleanliness and environmental preservation and infrastructure development.
The mayor encouraged the officials to support the proposed autonomy for the Cordillera region to finally establish a permanent regional identity where it will have freedom to manage its people and natural resources, enjoy more financial benefits from the national government while retaining the existing benefits and powers presently being enjoyed
For the youth, the mayor also asked the barangay heads to take the lead in imparting good values to shape the young generation as responsible persons.
“Let us teach our children good values in our homes because it will become their foundation for learning and development towards becoming good and responsible citizens,” he stressed.
Go, for his part, said the duties of the barangay officials are crucial as they “serve as springboard for nation-building” being the “primary link of the government to the grassroots” and the “accurate barometer for public pulse.”
He urged them to serve their constituents with competence, compassion “with action” and integrity. He said they must pursue sound policy-making and good governance as well as personal development and open engagement with the constituents to be able to ensure their barangays’ financial well-being and health and safety.
“The next two years will be challenging for you but be guided by the trust the public bestowed upon you and always put public interest first. Be the kind of leader that you have always wanted before you decided to enter the public service,” Go said. The mass oath-taking was coordinated by the city special services division under Noel Mabutas in coordination with the city office of the Dept. of Interior and Local Government under City Director Evelyn Trinidad./Aileen P. Refuerzo
