Legal Office keen on cost-benefit analysis of barangay amalgamation

The City Legal Office is currently reviewing the cost-benefit analysis on barangay amalgamation to merge the 128 barangays of Baguio down to 33, 34, 36 or 40.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier reminded Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong to work on the unfinished barangay amalgamation else the local government will be in violation of certain provisions of the local government code.

In response, the mayor directed the creation of Task Force Amalgamation of Barangays led by the City Legal Officer Richard Dayag and composed of the Liga ng mga Barangay, City Planning, Development and Sustainability Office, City Assessor’s Office, City Budget Office, the Department of the Interior and Local Government – Baguio, the Commission on Elections – Baguio, the City Mayor’s Office represented by its Special Services Division, and representatives from the Sanggunian Panlungsod.

Under the barangay amalgamation, the city will reduce the number of barangays from 128 to 40 barangays, more or less, by merging adjoining barangays for purposes of economy, efficient delivery of basic services, and more viable and sustainable management of barangay operations.

Barangay amalgamation is also seen as a tool to improve local governance and to professionalize the salaries of barangay officials.

After the review of the cost-benefit analysis, the task force will conduct consultations with stakeholders to consider several issues such as but not limited to population, land area, infrastructure or facilities and road networks.

Dayag said pursuant to the Local Government Code, barangays in the city may be consolidated or its boundaries substantially altered by an ordinance passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. However, a plebiscite may be required prior to the passing of the ordinance. – JMPS