Question & AnswerQ&A (PRESIDENTIAL DECREE NO. 557)
The main purpose of Presidential Decree No. 557 is to declare all barrios in the Philippines as Barangays and provide for other related matters.
The decree declares the Barangay as the basic political unit in the Philippines.
The term "barrio" is of foreign origin, and the change to "Barangay" reflects a desire to use a term more rooted in Filipino tradition, as shown by various representations from Barangays across the country.
All references to barrios in existing laws shall henceforth be understood as references to the Barangay.
In the City of Manila and other chartered cities without barrios, the existing Barangays created under Presidential Decree No. 86, as amended, shall continue as such Barangays.
Republic Act No. 3590, as amended, known as the Revised Barrio Charter, is adopted as the Barangay Charter.
The Barangay Assembly, Barangay Council, and Barangay officials perform the powers, rights, duties, and responsibilities previously vested in barrio officials.
The barrio officials shall now be known as Barangay Captain, Barangay Councilman, Barangay Secretary, and Barangay Treasurer.
The decree took effect immediately upon approval on September 21, 1974.