SAP
NAIS ni Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers na limitahan sa 15,000 ang nakatira sa isang barangay sa urban areas.
Ayon kay Barbers may mga barangay na nahihirapan sa paghahatid ng tulong sa kanilang constituents dahil sa laki ng populasyon sa nasasakupan nito.
“This measure would bring great relief to both the local governments and the people, particularly in the management of people and resources during natural or man-made calamities, including times of pandemic like the Covid-19,” ani Barbers.
Sa panukala ni Barbers aamyendahan ang Local Government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) at magkakaroon ng paghahati-hati sa mga malalaking barangay.
“The acute lack of resources of the big barangays left them no choice but to allow the people to wait in line for days to receive relief packages or social amelioration benefits, in total disregard of the safety requirements imposed by the government on physical distancing and wearing of face masks. It likewise brought undue criticisms to the national government.”
Sa kasalukuyan ang isang barangay ay kailangang may minimum na 2,000 residente at kailangan ng 5,000 populasyon para makapagtayo ng bagong barangay sa Metro Manila at iba pang metropolitan areas at highly-urbanized cities.
May barangay na umaabot sa 1,000 hanggang mahigit 200,000 ang populasyon.
“Consequently, the number of inhabitants requiring barangay assistance varies significantly. In times of disasters and emergency situations, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, where barangay officials are expected to be the first responders, barangays with high population density experienced more difficulties in reaching out to their constituents,” dagdag pa ni Barbers.
“If my proposal is enacted into law, it would benefit the national and local governments, particularly the barangays. Government assistance and programs in the grassroots level can be carried out faster and easier, particularly in the implementation of the National ID system and during natural or man-made calamities, including pandemics like the Covid-19.”