LAGAWE, IFUGAO– The new health facility of Barangay Poblacion East of this town will not only give the village a major boost in providing quality public health care programs, it will also enhance the delivery of fundamental services to the people. That’s the good news!
The project, located just beside the ageing barangay hall, was opened recently to the elation of villagers.
Punong Barangay Alfonso Dominong described the facility as a major infrastructure project aimed at advancing the common good.
“This project is an important initiative to address the problems affecting the people, most especially the poor,” Punong Barangay Dominong said.
Maintaining the facility. Dominong said, is critical to ensuring a healthy citizenry in 2020 and beyond as outlined in the barangay council’s agenda, will be a success.
It will also help ensure that medical cost will no longer burden indigent residents.
All told, many villagers lauded the punong barangay for his leadership, integrity and dedication to duty.
What’s the connection between good governance and the facility? A lot! The barangay council had wanted to expand its services for some time but never had the resources to construct one.
Punong Barangay Dominong’s approach to handling of people’s problems on health and philosophy towards priorities of the barangay government matters a lot. His ability to provide solutions, means it can make a big difference.
The new facility will help the barangay government maintain a more consistent program in order to foster better conditions in the village.
It is hard to ignore the realities on the ground at the capital town of Lagawe. It has one of the worst services when it comes to health and medical needs.
Barangay Poblacion East is the largest village of the town in terms of land size, population size and number of registered voters.
Defying heavy odds, Punong Barangay Dominong is determined to pursue noteworthy projects as this one. “I love doing it, and I won’t quit,” he quipped.
“We are inspired by his actions and Punong Barangay Dominong is a true leader because he cares for all of us,” a female resident said.
Many others share this sentiment and are vocal in asserting that the first-term village chieftain genuinely seek to serve his constituents at all times. There is no doubt whatsoever he wants to honestly serve the barangay’s communities and help them flourish.
During the uncertain moments of the COVID-19 crisis, Punong Barangay Dominong led in the distribution of relief packs consisting of rice, canned sardines and noodles. The packs were given to villagers who were unable to move and work largely because of misreading and lack of understanding of the regulations of the enhanced community quarantine imposed by the national government. At the end, a lot of these don’ts and restrictions mattered to all attempts to save a dying local economy.
Before assuming office in 2016 through a popular vote, he briefly held the same position after then Punong Barangay Angel Tanguiling was elected councilor of the town. Since that time, Dominong has been a leader in initiating various programs and projects for the barangay.
He continues to speak out with his constituents about his work for them and the future of the barangay.
It is certainly a wonderful way to open oneself to the essence of the mission of serving others from the bottom of the heart.
“I just don’t like to see people suffering,” said Dominong, explaining what motivates him even if he has to give more time to public service than family.
Dominong also met with officers and leaders of nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and people’s organizations (POs) in the past.
Punong Barangay Dominong scored well in the delivery of basic services to the people, but peace and order remain a problem because of the incompetence of those who are manning the checkpoints.
For now, it’ll probably be a long while before Punong Barangay Dominong experience less stressful days. High inflation, high unemployment and a battered economy will also continue to drive uncertainty to many. Barangay Poblacion East is the hub of trade and commerce of Lagawe. Many are nervous of the business stoppage in the village. Erecting in the meantime eyesore-looking checkpoints is compounding the problem. That’s the bad news!
It is very discouraging if the barrio captain’s (now called punong barangay) good image is being tarnished by uneducated and misbehaving barangay government personnel at these checkpoints and who are involved in acts unbecoming of public servants.
It is not farfetched to think that other acts of misconduct or malfeasance might have been committed by personnel who have no right whatsoever to be at these checkpoints.
The barangay government would do better by removing abusive and arrogant personnel at these checkpoints. Ordering the dismantling of checkpoints recognizes the benefits of bringing back order and sanity and such move still makes sense. Instead of wasting time at these checkpoints, just stay at home and attend to the needs of your family. Take care of the financial security of your family is clearly the message Punong Barangay Dominong should be imparting to these erring personnel. These incidents have all the earmarks of grave abuse of authority reminiscent of the martial law era.
The checkpoint issue is more complicated because it has enormous repercussions. It can be more costly to the incumbent punong barangay politically. Speaking privately, many residents are saying that their misdeeds are tarnishing the image of Punong Barangay Dominong.
What happens when the people’s trust and confidence has been eroded? We all know the answer. Most especially during barangay polls where they vote for candidates with money not with integrity and credibility.
If change is indeed coming, may it include Poblacion East’s Barangay Council.
The next few months will be very challenging for Barangay Poblacion East. From the beginning, Punong Barangay Dominong was determined to establish the village as the premier barangay of Lagawe.
Power outages, water shortages, lack of irrigation systems in farm lands, negative growth rate and other factors stymied plans of investors from putting up businesses here.
There is also the expanding population to be considered. These should be the focus of Punong Barangay Dominong instead of the checkpoints. Such will have a far-reaching effect on all sectors of society in the barangay.
The partnership between Punong Barangay Dominong and well-meaning and right-thinking residents is a synergy of purpose intended for safeguarding the well-being of the people.
Achieving a unified partnership with the private sector need not be a dream. Other barangay council officials just need to think out of the box and be creative about it. They are kagawads (councilmen) Alice Dinamling, Arsenio Tuguinay, Tomas Towanna Jr., Rachie Namingit, Conrado Panapan and Salvador Tayaban.
Definitely, there will be more opportunities for public and private partnership at Barangay Poblacion East. Punong Barangay Alfonso Dominong will be there to respond to the challenge. **By Anthony A. Araos
