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LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS IN NATION-BUILDING
EMPOWERING THE BARANGAY FOR PROGRESS
THE CASE OF VINTAR, ILOCOS NORTE
February 2010
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 Role of the Barangay
 Barangay, formerly called the Barrio, has a specific territory, and is the smallest governmental unit.
With Republic Act 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991, the Barangay has been strengthened to participate in nation- building. The key factors are political and fiscal autonomy.
Political – Barangay leaders and officials are duly elected
Fiscal – The barangay is mandated a just share from National Taxes, through the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA), to be
spent for its administration and operation of barangay services, and development of specific infrastructures.
In addition to the Barangay IRA, the Barangay is authorized to raise revenues through local charges and business taxes.
It can also expect to receive material and financial support from the Municipal IRA, from the Provincial IRA, from National Funds
granted through specific offices (like DPWH, DepEd, DOH, etc.) due to the devolution of services to the Barangay, and
development funds from national/provincial officials.
Barangay Responsibilities
1. Plan and enforce basic requirements for the general welfare of citizens
- Infrastructures/facilities for basic services
- Peace and order
- Community well-being
- Citizen rights
- Livelihood
2. Implement policies and programs devolved from national agencies
- Agriculture
- Health
- Environment
- Social welfare
- Tourism
3. Organize forums for collecting views of citizens
- To guide in planning barangay development projects
- To adjust programs to maximize benefits to the barangay
4. Perform first-level venue for justice system
- Settle differences among residents
Barangay Authority
Taxing powers
- Business permits and licenses
- Service fees or charges
- Barangay clearances
- Fines and penalties
Fund-raising and solicitation
Barangay Accountability
Barangay Budget – Some guidelines:
Sources:
National Sources:
Barangay IRA, Grants/Aids, Loans
Locally-generated Income (Barangay Revenues):
Business taxes, Real property tax, Fees and charges, Solicitations, Penalties
Expenditures:
10% of total available (IRA + barangay revenues) allocated to Sangguniang Kabataan
55% of barangay revenues for Personnel Services
90% of total available to be spent for barangay needs
- Periodic reporting of performance and expenditure
- Audit of records
Barangay Funds
The Barangay’s IRA is based on several factors, mainly:
Population
Land area
Equal percentage sharing set by National Government
Since 1992 until the present:
Population – 50%
Land area – 25%
Equal Sharing – 25%
The Barangay IRA provides leaders some leeway to plan and implement their internal programs, apart from but in harmony, with
the Municipal Government programs.
The Case of Vintar – 2009 Figures*
Vintar Municipal IRA --------------------  83.05 Million
Total IRA of 33 Barangays------------- 25.27 Million
Total IRA available to Vintar ---------- 108.33 Million
Barangay IRA ranging from
the highest, Isic Isic – 998,000
the lowest, Bago ------ 613,000
* Data from the Office of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., Father of the Local Government Code.
IRA OF BARANGAYS – 2009 Figures*
1.Abkir------------------------ 823,831
2.Alsem----------------------- 625,473
3.Bago------------------------ 613,329
4.Bulbulala------------------- 852,842
5.Cabangaran--------------- 646,726
6.Cabayo-------------------- 651,786
7.Cabisocolan--------------- 686,869
8.Canaam-------------------- 694,291
9.Columbia------------------- 713,857
10.Dagupan----------------- 625,136
11.Pedro Alviar (Diaton)--- 762,097
12.Dipilat--------------------- 850,481
13.Esperanza---------------- 579,932
14.Ester---------------------- 929,081
15.Isic Isic------------------- 998,237
16.Lubnac------------------- 923,347
17.Mabanbanag------------ 656,509
18. Alejo Malasig---------- Pesos 865,324
19. Manarang--------------- 698,676
20. Margaay----------------- 717,568
21. Namoroc----------------- 710,821>
22. Malampa (Paninaan-Malampa) 714,869
23. Parparoroc--------------- 843,396
24. Parut---------------------- 895,307
25. Salsalamagui------------- 807,975
26. San Jose (Lipay)-------- 734,772
27. San Nicolas (Poblacion) 824,168
28. San Pedro (Pob)--------- 766,820
29. San Ramon (Pob)------- 822,144
30. San Roque (Pob)-------- 808,650
31. Santa Maria (Pob)------ 799,205
32. Tamdagan--------------- 823,493
33. Visaya-------------------- 805,277
TOTAL IRA OF VINTAR BARANGAYS -- 25,272,342
* Data from the Office of Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Jr., Father of the Local Government Code
The Case of Vintar
Vintar, with 33 barangays and 29,405 population, has the highest overall total IRA among towns in the First District of Ilocos
Norte – 108.33 million in 2009.
Compared to:
Bacarra (43 barangays, 31,485 pop) – Overall Total IRA - 76.94 Million
Pasuquin (33 barangays, 26,307 pop) – Overall Total IRA - 76.22 Million
Vintar’s advantage is its wide land area
The Case of Vintar – Moving Forward
QUESTION 1:
WHAT HAS THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF VINTAR DONE WITH THIS IRA OF P108.33 million?
QUESTION 2:
WHAT HAS BEEN THE ROLE OF THE 33 BARANGAYS IN BUDGETING AND SPENDING THEIR RESPECTIVE IRAs?
QUESTION 3:
HAS THIS HUGE AMOUNT OF MONEY BEEN SPENT WISELY?
CHALLENGE 1:
HOW CAN BARANGAYS BETTER PERFORM THEIR ROLE IN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS?
CHALLENGE 2:
WHAT CAN WE, CITIZENS OF VINTAR, DO TO SUPPORT AND PUSH THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS OF OUR BARANGAYS
AND OUR TOWN, TO THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL, GIVEN THE LARGE AMOUNT OF AVAILABLE FUNDS?
Vintarinians Moving Vintar Forward
THE BALL IS IN OUR HANDS!!
We can keep quiet and just follow what has been done for many years
OR
We can stand up and be counted, to become agents of change – for the better!
Let us do our part: LET CHANGE BEGIN WITH ME - NOW!
Please send your comments.
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