FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on Tuesday urged newly elected barangay officials to retain capable barangay workers to ensure the continuity of community programs and services.
“I am pleading sa ating mga bagong kapitan ngayon na hangga’t maaari sana ay yakapin natin lahat [barangay personnel] including the continuity of good programs and projects. To do this, of course, you need good people to continue these services,” Abalos said.
(I am appealing to our new [barangay] captains today that as much as possible, let’s embrace everyone [barangay personnel], including the continuity of good programs and projects. To do this, of course, you need good people to continue these services.)
Abalos stressed that the newly elected officials should prioritize retaining barangay health workers, nutrition scholars, and “tanods.”
The chief of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) pointed out that retaining these barangay workers, who have already undergone capacity development interventions, would play a key role in addressing problems in barangays.
He further said that “political retribution” should be discarded and that a “true leader always inspires and unites people.”
“Hindi po ito gantihan,” Abalos said.
(This is not time for revenge.)
The DILG chief previously issued a warning to newly elected officials not to appoint relatives in administrative positions, stressing that educational background and other qualifications must instead be considered.