Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 31) — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday issued a memorandum circular setting a three-week transition period for newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Memorandum Circular No. 2023-166 would allow the proper turnover of properties, financial records, and other documents to the new officials.
“Sa mga bagong upo, tandaan niyo ito, importante ma-turnover sa inyo properly ang property ng barangay,” he said in a press briefing. “Ilang computer ‘yan? Ilang kotse ‘yan? Are they in good condition? Baka mamaya pag punta diyan, wala nang laman ‘yung barangay hall.”
[Translation: To the incoming officials, remember that barangay properties should be properly turned over to you. How many computers are there? How many vehicles are there? Are they still in good condition? Because you might enter the barangay hall and find nothing there.]
“‘Yung mga financial document, ‘yung mga pera na laman nito, napaka-importante ‘yan,” he added.
[Translation: The financial documents and the money in it, these are very important.]
The DILG in March ordered incumbent barangay and SK officials to conduct an inventory of properties, financial records, and money accountabilities before new officials will be elected in October.
Moreover, the agency stressed that newly elected barangay and SK officials should immediately assume their posts.
“Puwede sila makasuhan dito sa ganito na kung ayaw nila mag-assume within a period of three weeks,” Abalos warned.
[Translation: They can be charged if they don’t assume their posts within three weeks.]
The DILG also reminded incoming SK officials that they are mandated to attend a seminar from Nov. 3 to 13 before assuming their posts.
As of 2:35 p.m. Tuesday, 40,927 out of the 42,001 barangays (97.44%) nationwide, have announced winners in the Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE).
The Supreme Court earlier ruled that the next BSKE will be held on the first Monday of December 2025, noting that only the tenure of the winning candidates in the October polls is shortened, not the term of office.
