The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2017-31 dated February 13, 2017 entitled: Conduct of Barangay Assembly for the First Semester of CY 2017. The circular highlights the mandate of Republic Act 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991 for the barangays to conduct barangay assembly at least twice in a year.  Proclamation No. 260 reinforces the said mandate by declaring the last Saturday of March and the second Sunday of October of every year as Barangay Assembly Days.

 

 March 25, 2017 shall be the schedule for the Synchronized Barangay Assembly Day for the First Semester of CY 2017 which bears the theme: “Sulong Barangay Kontra Droga, Krimen at Katiwalian: Makialam! Makilahok! Makiisa!”. On the day of the assembly, every barangay is enjoined to undertake the following activities, namely, Delivery of the State of Barangay Address (SOBA) with emphasis on Accomplishments for the 2^nd Semester of CY 2016, Financial Report for the 2^nd Semester of CY 2016 and Updates on CY 2016 Programs and Projects.

 Barangays are also enjoined to discuss during the assembly their compliance on national laws and issuances like the Barangay Full Disclosure Policy, Anti-illegal drug laws and other related issuances particularly the following: 1) Section 51 of Republic Act 9165 pertaining to the appropriation of substantial portion of the LGUs annual budget for anti-illegal drug programs, projects and activities; 2) DILG-Memorandum Circular No. 2015-63 or the Revitalization of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC); 3) DILG-Memorandum Circular No. 2016-116 or the Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Ilagal na Droga (MASA MASID) Program; and 4) Dangerous Drug Board (DDB) Regulation No. 04 series of 2016 and DILG Memorandum dated January 3, 2017 on the Monitoring of the Organization of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC), Allocation of Substantial Portion in the Barangay Budget and the Formulation of Barangay Anti-Drug Plan of Action. Likewise, to advocate the Batas Kasambahay (Republic Act 10361) and laws which relate to the protection of women and children particularly Republic Act No. 9208 as amended by Republic Act No. 10364 or the “Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act” and Republic Act No. 9775 or the “Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009” shall also be part of the assembly.

They are also encouraged to introduce the Salient Features of Federalism to promote public awareness and understanding of a federal form of government. This is to take account the Philippine Agenda for empowered governance; inclusive growth and countryside development which look into the federal system of government as the key to achieving national peace and economic prosperity in a diverse society (DILG Primer of Federalism).

By and large, the said circular directed all DILG Regional Directors and ARMM Regional Governor to advocate the conduct of barangay assembly by displaying streamers in strategic locations within their office premises and other activities that would generate interest among the general public to attend the assembly as well as to submit reports thereafter. Likewise, it also enjoined all city and municipal mayors to ensure compliance and maximum participation of all barangays in conducting barangay assemblies in their respective jurisdiction