Rex Sarabia, Attorney-at-Law

TWO BIG REFORMS MOVE FORWARD: STRONGER BARANGAYS, FUTURE-READY ILONGGOS

Sa Regular Session sang 12th Iloilo City Council subong nga Mayo 20, 2026, napasa sa First Reading ang duha ka proposed ordinances nga akon ginpasa bilang bahin sang padayon naton nga pagpanghikasog nga pabakuron ang governance, public service, kag workforce readiness sang Iloilo City:

1. Barangay Budgetary Reform Ordinance
Ini nga reform ordinance resulta sang aton pag-usisa sa barangay budgetary crisis, kag nagatuyo nga magpabakod sang transparency, accountability, kag mas husto nga fiscal management sa aton mga barangay.

2. Mandatory Continuing Workforce Education and Development Ordinance

Isa ka forward-looking measure nga nagatuyo maghatag sang mas malapad nga oportunidad sa pagtuon, pag-upskill, kag pag-adapt sang city workers kag iban pa nga covered sectors sa digital literacy, AI readiness, financial literacy, civic literacy, kag modern workforce development.

Para sa akon, ang paghimo sang ordinansa indi lang dapat sabat sa problema sang subong. Dapat pagpreparar man ini sang aton siyudad para sa palaabuton.

Paagi sa sini nga duha ka proposed ordinances, ginapakita naton nga ang maayo nga legislation dapat pagkatapos sang pag-usisa, may aksyon, pagkatapos sang problema, may direksyon, kag para sa mas mabakod nga serbisyo publiko, may handa nga solusyon.

Hublag, Iloilo!

ANO ANG KINAHANGLAN HIMUON SA TION SANG LIWAT NGA PAGSAKA SANG PRESYO SANG GATONG BANGUD SA OIL CRISIS?

Ari ang Oil Crisis Response Initiative nga dapat naton sundon agod mabuligan naton ang isa kag isa sa sini nga krisis.

Sa tion nga nagaalalang ang presyo sang langis kag nagabug-at ang epekto sini sa transportasyon, balaklon, kag adlaw-adlaw nga pangabuhi, kinahanglan nga mas maging disiplinado kag responsable.

Kon maghiliusa kita kag magbinuligay, mas mabaskog ang aton komunidad sa pag-atubang sang sini nga krisis.

Kaya ta ini, hublag Iloilo.

BUDGET CRISIS SPARKS NEW REFORMS FOR STRONGER ILOILO BARANGAYS

The launching of the Iloilo City Academy for Public Service and Development stands as a concrete achievement of the Iloilo City Government, through the leadership of the Office of the Mayor and the Iloilo City Council, following the issues and gaps brought to light during the investigation on the Barangay Budgetary Crisis.

What began as a challenge became an opportunity for reform. The crisis showed the urgent need to further strengthen the capacity of barangay officials in budget preparation, fiscal management, development planning, legislation, accountability, and the proper use of public funds. Instead of allowing these concerns to remain as recurring problems, the City took action to build a stronger and more supportive system for barangay governance.

Through this Academy, Iloilo City invests in leaders who are more prepared, responsible, and accountable - equipped not only in public service delivery, but also in governance, development planning, fiscal responsibility, budget discipline, resilience, preparedness, and responsive legislation.

Kay ang matuod nga pag-uswag indi lamang makita sa infrastructure, kundi sa kabakod sang mga institusyon, sa kalidad sang pagdumala, kag sa kapasidad sang mga lider nga nagaalagad sa katawhan.

From the lessons of the Barangay Budgetary Crisis, Iloilo City now moves forward with stronger systems, better-equipped barangay leaders, and a deeper commitment to transparent, accountable, and people-centered governance.

Hublag, Iloilo!

📢 ATTENTION: ALL BARANGAYS

As part of the City Government’s continuing efforts to strengthen local governance, the City Planning Office, in collaboration with the Legislative and Executive Departments, introduces the Barangay Development Planning Process — a 7-Module Learning and Planning Framework for all barangays.

This initiative is one of the key outcomes of the recent Investigation in Aid of Legislation aimed at improving planning systems, coordination, and development implementation at the barangay level.

This framework aims to assist barangays in:
✔️ Identifying community needs and priority concerns
✔️ Establishing clear development goals and strategies
✔️ Preparing effective Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs)
✔️ Strengthening implementation, monitoring, and evaluation mechanisms

Through proper planning and active community participation, we can ensure that every barangay development initiative becomes more organized, transparent, strategic, and aligned with the real needs of our constituents.

Together, let us continue building stronger, progressive, and empowered communities for every Ilonggo family.

📌 Infographic Source:
Iloilo City Office of the City Planning and Development Coordinator
https://www.facebook.com/share/18iiFpw1M2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!

The hearing on the Barangay-SK Budgetary Crisis is rescheduled to April 23, 2026 (Thursday), at 1:30 PM, 4th Floor Conference Room, Legislative Building.

Please be guided accordingly.

PUBLIC MARKETS OPEN TO ALL BOLANTEROS

Ginapatuman sang Ciudad ang designated market days agud ang mga bolantero may mas organisado kag insakto nga lugar sa pagbaligya. Paagi sini, ginatinguhaan nga mabalanse ang sitwasyon sang mga vendor kag ang kahimtangan sang aton mga merkado publiko, para mas matagaan sang oportunidad ang tanan, samtang ginatipigan man ang kaayuhan sang tanan.