Mayor Sara urges village execs to pursue peace, progress

DAVAO CITY – Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has called on village leaders to pursue peace and progress through sustainable development during the mass oath-taking of over 1,400 barangay captains and councilmen from the city’s 182 villages on Monday.

Duterte-Carpio, who officiated the mass oath-taking, also asked barangay officials to be a "team of champions" and pave the way for the attainment of the city’s vision of a peaceful and progressive city.

For instane, the mayor said that village officials can be exponents of progress by participating in the incoming working sessions for a three-year project and program plan for their communities on July 2.

Duterte-Carpio asked the barangay leaders to spend the first day of their office attending the planning session and ensure that what their barangay needs during their three-year term are included.

She also suggested to add another year to their plan in case barangay elections would be postponed again.

“For the first year submit dayon. For the second year and third year planohon na dayon ang gusto nato buhaton para walay kalit kalit nga kinhanglan (Immediately submit the plan for the first year. Do your plans for the second year and third year to avoid last minute needs),” she told the village leaders.

The mayor also asked the leaders to install purok (sub-village) leaders, who can help them in pursuing community development.

Although appointing a purok leader is not provided in the law (Local Government Code), Duterte-Carpio wants a Purok Leader Federation institutionalized informally because of their role, especially in the peace and order monitoring. (Lilian C. Mellejor/PNA)