SHARPENING MINDS THROUGH BASIC ORIENTATION COURSE FOR BARANGAY NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

Sharpening the leadership knowledge and skills of the barangay units

The Local Government Unit of Manolo Fortich primarily focuses on sharpening the leadership knowledge and skills of its barangay units as it conducts this year’s 3-day Basic Orientation Course for the Barangay Newly Elected Officials (BNEO) last October 2023 at the Chali Beach Resort, Cugman, Cagayan de Oro city from March 11 to 13, 2024.

With all of the 22 barangay units of Manolo Fortich, the basic orientation course kicks off last Monday with its first batch participated by the 12 barangays of Dicklum, Maluko, Sankanan, Tankulan, Mantibugao, Mambatangan, Mampayag, Ticala, Minsuro, Lunocan, Sto. Niño, and Damilag.

During an early interview, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) 10 and Municipal Local Government Operations Officer Christie Cubero gave a short briefer on the course each barangay units are to undergo, “Ang mga officials and staff lalo na ‘yung mga bag-o and first time pa gyud nidagan and nidaog, kailangan nato dagdagan ang ilang knowledge and skills para mabuhat nila ang ilang roles and functions kay limitado paman ang ilang nahibal-an. We will provide them with necessary training like a general orientation.”

Moreover, a comprehensive discussion on the following topics such as Salient Features of the Local Government Code of 1991, Barangay Development Planning and Capacity Development, Barangay Budget, Financial Administration, Procurement Processes, Barangay Budget, Public Ethics and Accountability, and Participation in Governance were discussed. By the last day, participants are to take a Post-Evaluation Test with an 80% passing rate.

In total, 171 participants of Batch 1 graced the Basic Orientation Course which was participated by the Punong Barangays, members of the Sangguniang Barangay, Treasurers, Secretaries, and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman of the 12 barangays.

John Paul Lugmay, Barangay Mampayag SK Chairperson is among the proud participants. He imparts his insights just after his Day 1 training experience, “Na broaden akong knowledge on how to procure on a legal basis na ma gamit nako siya as an SK Chairperson. Na learn nako nga even though daghan ta og natun-an, we still need to go back to our roots and that is to be humble enough to learn to be a proper elected barangay official of our different communities.”

Vice Mayor Reynaldo L. Bagayas Jr. also instilled a gentle reminder to the participants on his opening message, “Time is a privilege and an opportunity na gihatag sa ato sa katawhan. Kay gisaligan man ta nila, let us make the most of this time. Let us also use that time and privilege to make a mark sa atong term.”

The 2nd Batch of the Basic Orientation Course of the BNEO will happen on March 18 to 20, 2024 and is to be participated by the remaining 10 barangay units of Manolo Fortich.