Policy and declared intent
- The decree recognizes that the barangay is the basic political unit existing in the Philippines before the arrival of the Spaniards.
- The decree states that barangays enabled consultation on matters of community interest through local participation of community forebears.
- The decree acknowledges that the revival of barangays under Presidential Decree No. 86 awakened interest in participation in government affairs and broadened public involvement.
- The decree states that the term “barrio” is of foreign origin and reflects representations from barangays nationwide to declare all barrios as barangays.
Coverage and key operative conversion rule
- Section 1 provides that all existing barrio or barrios that may thereafter be created are declared as Barangays.
- Section 1 commands that all references to “barrio” in any existing laws shall henceforth be understood as references to the “Barangay.”
- Section 1 applies the rule “any provision of existing laws to the contrary notwithstanding.”
- Section 1 creates a City of Manila and chartered-city exception: where there are no barrios, existing Barangays therein created under Presidential Decree No. 86, as amended continue as such Barangays.
Barangay Charter adopted for the system
- Section 2 adopts Republic Act No. 3590, otherwise known as the Revised Barrio Charter, as the Barangay Charter.
- Republic Act No. 3590 becomes the governing charteral framework for barangay institutions as provided by the decree.
Transfer of powers, rights, duties, and responsibilities
- Section 3 provides that powers and rights vested in or exercised by the barrio assembly, barrio council, and barrio officials under Republic Act No. 3590 are transferred to the corresponding Barangay Assembly, Barangay Council, and Barangay officials.
- Section 3 extends the transfer to powers and rights appertaining to or conferred upon barrio bodies and officials by other laws.
- Section 3 transfers duties and responsibilities vested in or conferred upon barrio assemblies, councils, and officials by existing laws to the respective Barangay assemblies, councils, and officials.
- After the decree takes effect, barangay bodies and officials perform the same functions and bear the same responsibilities previously exercised under the barrio framework, but under barangay nomenclature.
Renaming of barangay officials
- Section 4 provides that the officials of the barrio as constituted under Republic Act No. 3590 shall now be known as:
- Barangay Captain
- Barangay Councilman
- Barangay Secretary
- Barangay Treasurer.