MANILA, Philippines – Newly appointed Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo yesterday expressed his opposition to the proposal of Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections set for October this year to October 2012.
In an interview over dzRH radio, the former Naga City mayor stressed that the barangay and SK elections should push through as scheduled, as it would disrupt the “predictability” of the government’s planning process.
Zubiri has filed Senate Bill No. 60 seeking to reset the synchronized barangay and SK elections and extend the terms of office of barangay officials to five years in a bid to address the issue of effective governance and the implementation of long-term projects nationwide.
He said the barangay officials’ current three-year term affects the delivery of basic services, and that the additional two years he is recommending will also lessen government expense.