• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
About 973 newly-elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials from the 61 barangays of Bacolod City took their oath before Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez during the first-ever mass oath taking in the city, at SMX Convention Center Friday.
Benitez told the barangay officials that they will institute the Code of Good Governance, which means that they will not tolerate wrong or bad practices in government.
Each barangay should submit the necessary reportorial requirements to the Commission on Audit on time, he said adding that he has also asked the Accounting Officer to extend their software program to all the barangays as the city is moving towards digitalization.
“We want a digital platform to govern public service. That, we will do together, which means that you will need the facilities and the training. Rest assured, once the system is in place, we will be better off and on our way to our super city status,” Benitez said.
He also asked the SK officials not to lose their idealism, he said “because together we can make our dreams a reality.”
“We will engage both the SK chairmen and kagawads in performing the activities we feel are needed in the barangays,” he added.
Benitez said they have several plans. A “super city” means hard work and all of us will be working hard to achieve that status.
Also present during the oath taking were Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran, Abang Lingkod Partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano, and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City.*