A couple of months ago, I raised the argument that since our voters have proven that it is very difficult to try changing the country’s leadership from the top, or national level, Filipinos who still want to see this country change for whatever reason might seriously consider starting whatever change they want to see from the bottom, or the barangay level.
The barangay is smallest and most basic unit of Philippine governance, yet the way we choose our leaders on that level is not given that much importance, because most of us probably think that what they do is insignificant compared to the more popular levels of leadership, which only gain our attention at the city council and mayors.
However, if you come to think of it, the ultimate test of leadership, vision, and competence should come from someone who has proven that they can run a barangay properly. A person who excels in managing their barangay, and has a track record to prove it, wouldn’t need a university degree or a fake diploma to be considered eligible for bigger responsibilities. Unfortunately for Filipinos, most of our leaders at the national, and even the local level, have never been tested and proven by performance in the realm of public service. All they need is a good jingle and good slogan which may not mean anything substantial, membership in a good old fashioned political dynasty, and access to funds (ill-gotten or otherwise) for spending on their campaign, troll farms and ultimately buying votes.
A well-run barangay would have its trash regularly and properly collected, its streets would be clean and free of illegal parking, along with sidewalks that are actually usable and where vendors are regulated. Street lights would be well lit at night, and its residents would be able to walk its streets in safety and efficiently. Conflicts between neighbors would be resolved by the fair application of laws and ordinances.
Barangay leaders, whose insignificance in this country ensure that they aren’t spoiled with the cheat code of intelligence and confidential funds, must be able to have the charisma to be able to successfully pitch improvement projects and programs with city officials, and the competence to implement or execute those ideas if funding is made available. If additional resources are needed, they will also be able to work with the private and business sector when it comes to further improvements and ideas where no government funds are available.
Imagine a barangay where the leader is exceptional. As long as the mayor is not insecure and threatened by good performers, the chances of the quality of life of that barangay seeing tangible improvements would be very high. And if that leader is really good at his job, residents of other barangays will surely notice as well and either demand their own local leaders to step up, or promote that exceptional fellow to the next higher position, so they can also benefit from such leadership prowess.
If you come to think of it, the best candidate for mayor in any town or city would be from the best performing barangay captains, because both are executive positions. The members of the city council hold legislative positions, a job that doesn’t really involve any management, coordination, or implementation and execution of plans and programs. Isn’t it strange that we end up picking our leaders from the legislature, when we should be looking people who have displayed excellence in being an effective executive?
Imagine how much better our barangays>towns>cities>provinces>country would be if we gave more value to finding quality barangay leaders and have standards and expectations for the ones we put in charge of ours?
But because we haven’t really put much thought and value on the quality of our barangay officials, they just lounge around and do the bare minimum for us, becoming a training ground for the sort of leaders we currently have, which are mostly low quality public servants who are in office just to serve their own vested interests. Instead of serving the barangay to the best of their abilities, a lot of them are there to start their own careers in traditional politics and/or start a family business by building their own political dynasties, going for the goal of being powerful enough to be gifted with hundreds of millions in confidential funds if they really hit it big.
As we gear up for the barangay and SK elections, let us spend more time in screening our candidates and choosing those who have the potential and the drive to make our communities better, and weed out the potential trapos who will just end up perpetuating this cycle of mediocrity and corruption via political dynasties.
And although it’s too late this time, maybe we can take a more active role in seeking out the best candidates for our respective barangays and then offering to support them in future elections, in a desperate bid to give our children a slightly better chance at a brighter future.*
