Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos (center). (PNA photo by Joseph Razon)

MANILA – Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos on Thursday reiterated the three-week transition period for newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials (BSKOs).

“Ang transition period na binibigay natin ay three weeks. Napaka-importante na ma-turn-over sa mga bagong opisyal properly ang [mga] properties ng barangay. Ilang computers ‘yan, ilang kotse ’yan. Are they in good condition? Baka pag-upo niyo diyan wala ng laman ang barangay hall (The transition period we are providing is three weeks. It is very important to turn over properly the barangay properties to the newly elected officials. How many computers? How many vehicles? Are they in good condition? Maybe when you sit there, the barangay hall is empty),” Abalos said in a statement.

He explained that the allotted transition period is important as this will spell the difference between whether the incoming officials could immediately buckle down to work or not.

To ensure a smooth transition, Abalos announced the issuance of DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 2023-166, which newly-elected SK and barangay officials can use as a guide prior and during their assumption.

He said the MC will cover the elected barangay and SK officials nationwide.

However, he warned that those who fail to assume three weeks after winning the polls might face administrative cases.

Likewise, outgoing BSKOs were instructed to submit the final inventory of the Barangay and SK properties, financial records, documents, and properties (PFRDs), and money accountabilities to ensure turnover of the same to the incoming or newly elected BSKOs.

“Ayaw po nating magkagulo. Inuulit ko po ang announcement na ito sapagkat this will cover all the barangays and SK sa [buong] Pilipinas. Pagka-oath mo, coordinate with our DILG officer na nasa ground at binigyan namin sila ng instructions dito na magkaroon ng proper turnover (We don’t want to mess up. I reiterate this announcement because this will cover all the barangays and SK in the entire Philippines. After you take your oath, coordinate with our DILG officer who is on the ground and we have given them instructions to have a proper turnover),” he said.

He also clarified that he was prompted to issue the guidelines following the advice of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that winning barangay and SK election candidates, upon being proclaimed and taking their oath, can effectively assume office.

“Kami sa DILG, susundin namin ang Comelec. Baka magkaroon lang tayo ng problem on the ground. Kung bago ka, kailangan mo mag-appoint ng bagong treasurer, secretary. Kailangan mo ng resolution sa barangay para sa bagong bank account at kailangan ka pa magpost ng bond. Siguro, it will take two to three weeks bago mangyari iyon (If ever problems on the ground arise, especially for those who have no experience with governance, they still need to appoint a treasurer and a secretary, as well as obtain a resolution from the barangay before creating a bank account. Based on our estimate, you will need two to three weeks to do that),” he explained. (PNA)