Baguio City Local Government Month Celebration

The Igorot leaders from this northern part of the country were raring to go for autonomy, everyone was talking of a separate autonomous region in the Cordilleras, this they said is an opportunity for the indegenous people to get their identity, more development and a better place for everyone. But the people of the Cordilleras thought otherwise, thus, only one province voted for it. A few believed then that autonomy can bring forth better lives for the people of this region. I am thankful though coz were it not for the move for an autonomous region, I would not have been able to get into government. Sometime in 1989, I was a lucky animal to be at the right time and place when the Cordillera Administrative Region was just established and I got hired with the Department of Local Government. A few months after, On October 10, 1991, republic act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 was signed into law givng more powers and authority to local governments. It gave them wider horizon aimed at empowering them to chart thier own destiny. I call this "Independence Day", because this was the day that the local governments got freed from the clouts of the central government. Decentralization was at its peak. The central government was undergoing a lot of adjustments as powers were devolved to the local level..

17 years after, as we look back through the years, we need to assess the gains of decentralization. How did we fare in the implementation? have LGUs improved? Did the devolution of powers and authority brought better lives to the people? have we improved as a people? a community? as a country? I let you be the judge of that.

On October 10, 2008, the City of Baguio commemorated the signing into law of the Local Government Code. This was spearheaded by the DILG City Field Office. I wanted the city government and the barangays to celebrate this day because I believe that if there was anything that they should celebrate, this is the local government month and day, simply because, they were born on this day... the day that central government weaned them.. the day the LGUs were finally set free.

Working with local governments specifically with the city of Baguio and its barangays is very exciting and challenging.. infact its very colorful. When I started with the department in 1989, I didnt appreciate much the work I was doing for the Department not because it was boring but coz it was purely administrative. But sometime in 2002, when I joined the city field office, I began to appreciate the work we do.. I begun to see challenges.. opportunities. I began to love the work... meeting people, networking, mentoring but most of all, I love being just the DILG. It's not an easy task, neither is it an idle one, contrary to what many may believe. Of course it all boils down to choices.. I can choose to be idle or to be on the go.. either way I will still get paid as all government employees do.. but i chose the latter one.

There is no better work than working with the local governments...

Association of Barangay Kagawads

Joel Roldan, was elected President of the Association of Barangay Kagawads of the City of Baguio by a landslide. Together with him were his VP Posadas, Board of Directors: Myrna Garcia, Evelyn Balisong,

to be continued)

My Thoughts........

When I first took my seat as acting city director of DILG Baguio, I had mixed emotions, sad that my mentor and friend is leaving, happy that finally, I am given the opportunity to prove my worth, apprehensive that I may not be worthy of the trust and confidence of higher ups. Afraid that I may not measure up or to be at par with the accomplishments of my predecessor or that I may fall short of the expectations of the people who are depending on me for guidance. Suddenly, I felt the weight of the responsibility given to me, it was like I was carrying the world on my shoulders. Anxiety hit me. My only consolation then was that, I knew many before me has taken the seat or a similar one and many for sure experienced what I was going through but in the end, they did good. I remembered the adage that goes this way "If others can, why can't I? or if others cant, I can". That night I prayed that GOD continue to hold my hands and we both take this life's journey together. I was reminded of what my mother used to tell me a long time back "God, will never give you something that you can not carry" "everything that happens is god's will and it happens for a purpose". As a child I believed in "destiny" and still do, that everything that happens do happen because it was destiny and it was meant to be. It's the route to that DESTINY that man can make changes but the end is still the destiny made for you.

Similarly, events of 2008 were all in accordance with GOD'S WILL. During the early months of 2008, I assisted in the conduct of the Liga ng mga Barangay pre elections and election activities. I was determined to stay just on the sidelines, be an expectator and watch the event happen. But circumstances has it that I need to play my role and make things happen and so I did.

I was a witness to the pains, joy and sorrow of the contenders for the Liga presidency of Baguio, friendships broken, betrayal of close friends, loyalties bared, uncertainty and discovering the "true colors" of people around. Relatives went against each other. Confusion and doubt clouded the minds of the Punong barangays, it was truly a difficult time for them, as they struggled within theirselves..in their hearts to stay morally upright and protect their integrity or to bend and join the majority. But it was likewise a good time for some, as they enjoyed the privileges accorded them. It was the time that they learned to know who is who and whom to trust and not to. The tension among comrades was so intense and distrust creeped in, in their hearts.. they seem to believe that this is no time for trust. No one said anything to anyone.. CODE OF SILENCE.. contenders were sizing each other up as the game took its upward turn, sleepless nights, anxiety and uncertainty were all part of it, these were small prizes for becoming the next liga president. It was likewise a difficult time for me not because of the work it entailed but of the doubts of all the contenders that was thrown my way. I didnt blame them neither did I understand why until recently, when a friend of mine took pains to explain and make me percieve it at a different angle, did I begin to discern their reason. I was caught at the middle then and i am supposed to stay at the middle becoz that was what was expected of me... but I had my preference all along. Destiny and fate played its part.

I thought my work was done but I was wrong, I suddenly realized there was more to be done, more to look forward to and more horizons to discover. I and my friend started the ball rolling, there was so much to be done, so many things to think about. We had to do our part, to pave the way for DESTINY to set in, and we did.

I learned so much and gained a lot of acquaintances, and a one true friend. It was one experience I wouldn't have wanted to miss.

MORE PICS

Liga General Assembly and Oath taking

Liga National Board elections

BAGUIO CITY Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) Chapter President Joel A. Alangsab is one of the newly elected member of the National LnB Board of Directors. With him is CALOOCAN City Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) national President Ricojudge “RJ” Echiverri as the newly-elected LnB National President. Other elected officers are: Exec. Vice-Pres. Mannix Ortega; VP for Luzon Atty. Edmon Abesamis; VP for Visayas Jen Salcedo; VP for Mindanao Edwin Elorde; Sec. Gen. Atty. Jesse Cruz; Auditor Irene Ong; and Board of Directors Alvin Feliciano, Joel Alangsab, Bernard Pacana, Claudet So and Floro Esguerra. Also in photo is outgoing president James Marty Lim. The election was held in historic Manila Hotel.

Joel Alangsab, a baguio boy takes his oath of office with CALOOCAN City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri. With him is the newly-elected Liga ng mga Barangay. National President Ricojudge Jan Vier Echiverri and other liga officers after winning the January 29, national liga elections held at Manila hotel.

National Liga Elections

Councilor Joel A. Alangsab, one of the five Liga ng mga Barangay (LnB) of the Philippines, National Board of Directors was among those inducted by her Excellency Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the heroes Hall, Malacanang on March 14, 2008 witnessed by 1,700 municipal, city and provincial LnB Presidents across the nation. These strong force manifested support to the President through its “UNITY WALK” at the grounds of the Palace. The Oath Taking and the Unity Walk was part of the LnB’s activity during its 4^th General Assembly last March 13-15, 2008 at the Clamshell, Intramuros Manila.

Alangsab landed second from among 22 candidates coming from various provinces and cities with a resounding 87 votes out of 113, a mere 5 votes away from the number 1 contender. The LnB national board were elected in January 29, 2008 at the Manila Hotel, elected at large:

President : Ricojudge Jan Vier M. Echiverri

Exec.Vice President : Mannix Ortega, Jr.

VP for Luzon : Atty. Edmund Abesamis

VP for Visayas : Jen Salcedo

VP for Mindanao : Edwin Elorde

Sec-Gen : Jessie Cruz

Auditor : Irene Ong

Board of Directors : Alvin Feliciano

Joel A. Alangsab

Floro Esguerra

Claudit So

Bernard Pacana

The national officers were elected from among the highly urbanized cities and provincial liga ng mga barangay Presidents all over the country. They are either sitting down as ex-officio members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Sangguniang Panlalawigan. In the same manner that municipal federation presidents are sitting as ex-officio members of the sangguniang bayan.

The Cordillera Provincial Presidents are: Hon. Cesar Dickly of Kalinga, Hon. Donato Pacito of Benguet, Hon.Artemio Gonayon of Apayao, Hon.Theodore Lacwasan of Mt. Province and Hon. Allan Cutiyog of Ifugao, all ex-officio members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of their provinces and Ryan Luna of Abra