Barangay heads back PRRD push for federalism

GENERAL SANTOS CITY --- Incumbent barangay chairs here and in neighboring areas have rallied behind President Rodrigo R. Duterte in efforts to shift the country’s governance to the federal system.

Barangay chairs from this city, Sarangani province, and the municipalities of Polomolok and Tupi in South Cotabato gave their support to the move during a dinner meeting with the President at the Mt. Sabrina Resort here last April 25.

Joseph Alvin Veneracion, Barangay Dadiangas South chair and president of the city’s Liga ng mga Barangay, said last April 26 the President emphasized that the country will be in a better position to develop further under a federal system.

The President noted that it would mainly benefit local governments in the countryside, especially those in Mindanao, he said.

Citing the President’s speech, Veneracion said the “most basic” benefit would be the bigger percentage share of income generated by local government units (LGUs).

“Under the present system, our revenues go directly to the national government and it then gives a small share to LGUs. That will be reversed under a federal system, with the LGUs retaining a bigger share,” he said in an interview over Brigada News FM.

In terms of over-all governance, he said localities under a federal unit will have proper representation compared to the present system.

He cited as example, the present composition of the Senate, who are all

elected by the entire country.

Under the proposed federal system, he said local units will elect and have representatives at the national level.

Veneracion said the President also called for their continuing support to the national government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality.

President Duterte reiterated that he is fully focused on cleansing the bureaucracy of corruption and local communities of illegal drugs, he said.

He said the President stressed that the campaign against corruption will spare no one, including his close allies.

Duterte has already dismissed a number of senior officials, including members of the Cabinet, who were reportedly involved in graft and corruption.

“It’s also warning for us at the barangay level, especially those running in the coming elections, to shun these activities,” he added. (PNA - Cotabato)