Legal basis and related issuance
- Sections 397 and 398 of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) require a barangay assembly day, held twice a year, to hear and discuss the semestral report of the sangguniang barangay on activities and finances, and problems affecting the barangay.
- Proclamation 342 (March 18, 2003) previously declared synchronized barangay assembly days—the first Saturday of March 2003 and the third Saturday of October 2003—and every year thereafter.
- For the second semester of CY 2010, the synchronized barangay assembly day did not proceed due to proximity to the October 25, 2010 Synchronized Baranay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
Policy purpose and intent
- The proclamation supports continuity of barangay assembly observance and advances the tenets of transparency, responsiveness, accountability, and participation at the barangay level.
- The proclamation provides an opportunity for the newly elected barangay officials to meet with constituents and reaffirm commitment to realize plans and programs for the community.
- The proclamation links barangay assembly day institutionalization to Biyaheng Pinoy: Tapat na Palakad, Bayang Maunlad, a major component program launched in October 2010 by the Department of the Interior and Local Government to celebrate twenty (20) years official autonomy.
What must be observed nationwide
- Saturday, December 11, 2010 is declared as Barangay Assembly Day throughout the country.
- The declaration is made to fulfill barangay assembly day requirements under Republic Act No. 7160 by ensuring a nationwide observance for the needed semester.
- Barangay assembly day is anchored on the requirement to hear and discuss the semestral report of the sangguniang barangay concerning activities and finances, and problems affecting the barangay under Sections 397 and 398 of Republic Act No. 7160.
Local government implementation duties
- All city/municipal mayors are enjoined to ensure compliance with the proclamation by all barangays in their respective jurisdictions.
- All city/municipal mayors are directed to maximize participation in barangay assembly by conducting barangay assemblies within their jurisdictions.
Key dates and operational focus
- The nationwide barangay assembly day date is fixed as December 11, 2010 (Saturday).
- The proclamation was issued on November 24, 2010.
- The prior missed synchronization for the second semester of CY 2010 is tied to October 25, 2010 elections for synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan purposes.
Administrative effect within the barangay system
- Barangay assembly day functions as a mechanism for constituents and barangay institutions to hear and discuss semestral governmental reporting on barangay operations, finances, and community problems under Sections 397 and 398 of Republic Act No. 7160.
- The proclamation’s implementation framework requires local chief executives (city/municipal mayors) to ensure barangay-level observance and active participation.