A LAWMAKER has lauded the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for reminding barangay officials that they cannot deny the use of barangay facilities for government programs and activities, as well as other public purposes.
“We are happy with the quick response of the Department of Interior and Local Government in reminding the captains of our barangays that the use of barangay facilities for public activities should not be denied,” Rizal Rep. Fidel Nograles said in Filipino.
He said the DILG recently released a memorandum reminding barangays on the use of government properties, barangay facilities, and other structures and on the issuance of barangay certification in response to a concern raised during the agency’s briefing for its 2025 budget last August.
Nograles also reminded the barangay officials they should ensure that basic services such as certificates of residency, indigency, and no pending complaint, among other barangay certifications, are issued upon the request of barangay residents without delay.
In case requests for the use of a barangay facility or issuance of certification is denied, the concerned barangay are required to fully explain it in writing, stating the name of the person making the denial and the grounds upon which it was made, said Nograles, chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Employment.
Nograles urged barangays to abide by the memorandum.
“What happens is that sometimes, people in the community are denied services because of politics,” he lamented.
“Let us be mindful that we are public servants first. We are duty-bound to serve everyone regardless of religion or political inclination,” Nograles stressed.
