R E F L E C T I O N P I E C E N o .

1 - Nature, Scope and Process of Planning |1

Strengthening the Planning of Barangays

The Barangay is the basic political unit as defined in Section 384 of RA 7160 or the
Local Government Code of the Philippines. Furthermore, on the same paragraph it states that the
Barangay serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans,
programs, projects, and activities in the community, therefore we can say that development
planning begins in the barangay level and it is spearheaded by the Barangay Captain itself being
the chairman of the Barangay Development Council (BDC). As mandated in Executive Order No.
471, Series of 1991, (issued by Pres. Corazon Aquino), one of the functions of the BDC is to
Prepare Barangay Development Plan (BDP) based on local requirements. The Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) through Memorandum Circular 2009-109 echoes that the
BDP shall be prepared based on the needs of the constituents. Public consultation should be
conducted prior to the preparation of the BDP.
It is clear that the Barangay Captains play an important role as the lead planner in the
development of a barangay and it is not alone on such function. It needs the Barangay Council,
Non-Government Organizations and the constituents of the community in order that a sustainable,
comprehensive and inclusive plan will be crafted. But does the prescribed process and guidelines
for the formulation of a BDP are followed by the majority of barangays in the country?
No comprehensive research or study can be found that would give a picture on the
functionality of the BDC or any evaluation reports if the all BDC in the Philippines have indeed
formulated a realistic BDP based on the local requirements or needs of its constituents. The
barangay being the basic unit seems to be the ones who are set aside in terms of technical support
and capability building. For the DILG, it has conducted write-shops and workshops to capacitate
barangay officials. It has published volumes of manuals and guides for BDP formulation. All of
these efforts are highly academic and technical approaches. The DILG missed a crucial factor -
the comprehension of the barangay official on the importance of the BDP. By the law, a local
resident of the barangay who knows how to read and write can be elected to any position in the
barangay, therefore, academic background is not a prerequisite. You cannot expect a person
without academic and technical background in planning to absorb and recall its concepts
immediately.
This is not to undermine the elected barangay officials, but rather this is a challenge that
an intensive capacity building and technical assistance in planning for them should be integrated
in the capacity development agenda of the government. Planning begins in the barangay. The
process therefore should be spearheaded by leaders and stakeholders that are planners, capacitated
and continuously supported to achieve a higher vision and goal for the development of the
community.
The statue with its head and body gloriously made of platinum and gold, will collapse if it
stands on feet made of mud and clay.

ENP. ARNOLD B. ALARCON JR.

Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning
University of the Philippines - Iloilo