A bridge between dreams and realities must be built to shape the future
Guadalupe
Long before the Spanish “Conquistadores” set foot on the shores of the
Philippine Islands and the establishment of Spanish Colonialism, our islands
were composed of many settlements and villages each referred to as “Barangays”.
Each Barangay was a community of more or less 50 to 100 families and has its
linguistic roots in the Malayan word “Balangay” which means “boat”. Balangay
supports contemporary theories on the origins of the Philippine people, that
being, each original coastal Barangay formed as a result of a single or a group
of colonist set ashore from another place of Malayan origin.
The Cabeza de Barangay, head of each barrio or local unit, was
afforded special political privileges throughout the more than 300 years of
Spanish rule. According to Governor Raon’s “Ordinances of Good Government”
promulgated in 1768, the Gobernadorcillo would be elected in the beginning of
each year by the outgoing Gobernadorcillo and 12 senior Cabezas de Barangay.
This provision was carried over in the Royal Decree of October 5, 1847
otherwise called the Municipal Election Law and slightly modified under the
Maura Law of 1893, named after the Spanish Minister of Colonies, the law
reorganized town governments in the Philippines with the aim of making them
more effective and autonomous where the members of the Municipal Tribunal,
constituted by the town executive and four Tenientes, were chosen by 12
electors, six of which were former Cabezas de Barangay.
As the Spanish residents moved away in the early
months of 1898, the reins of local government passed completely into the hands
of the Filipino officials. Thus an election was held and Don Quirimon Alkuino clinched
a victory as the first Filipino Presidente of Baybay. Later on that year after
about four months, disgusted Gen. Vicente Lucban nullified the results and ordered
a recall election. And ultimately, with the same pick Don Quirimon Alkuino at last
victorious against the possible squandered lockout. On the whole General Lucban
revised the barrios of Baybay to be named after their respective tenientes,
thus Caridad was renamed "Veloso," Plaridel became
"Alvarado," Bitanhuan was identified to "Coronado." San
Agustin",
referred to "Sabando," Punta” mentioned as to "Virgineza,"
Pomponan” given to"Montefolka," “Gabas”, belongs to
"Bartolini".
The system of barrio representation was subsequently incorporated in
the Administrative Code of 1916 (Public Act 2657) and the Revised
Administrative Code of 1917 (P.A. 2711) through the approval of Governor
Francis Burton Harrison. The assignment of barrios and districts to Municipal
Councilors were provided and the duties of the Barrio Lieutenant were defined.
The revised Administrative Code also granted discretionary legislative power to
the Municipal Councils to insure the life of all Barrio Lieutenants against
accidents, murders or assault, for a sum not exceeding P1,000.00.
Throughout the passage of Public Act 2657, local leaders and settlers actively
participated in the religious, political and socio-cultural affairs in Barrio
Gabas as my mother the late Barrio Councilor Paciencia Amihan Espinosa always
recounted to us how sitio Utod’s populace paid tribute to the mother barrio
named Gabas. It was the decade of empowering leaders being assigned to their
respective sitios to a step forward level of local governance.
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Tay Pastor Amihan Siblings |
When one traces the history of sito Utod, one finds that this village
wasn’t free from agitation since this charmingly serene locality with simple clean
and fragrant environs was the subject of expropriation sometimes in 1924. The
establishment of a Provincial Agricultural School in Leyte though a Provincial
Board Resolution creating the Baybay Agricultural School initiated by then
Leyte Governor Salvador K. Demetrio signed on June 2, 1924 had have caused so
much emotional disturbances to the people. Taking the place preciously valued by
the inhabitant had cost lives by taking away their own innocent human lives all
in the name for Agricultural Development in the country. For some displaced
families moving to nearby locality was their last options. Family members who
outlived during the backlash made mention of Bartolini, Poliquit, Amihan,
Espinosa’s and some other descendant that were among those afflicted by the
turn of events.
On November 13, 1931 enactment of the Philippines Legislature Act 3661
provided for the organization of a Council composed of a Barrio Lieutenant and
a number of Vice-Barrio Lieutenants as there were sitios to assist the former
in the discharge of his duties.
The first significant legislation by the Philippine Congress
concerning barrio administration is Senate Bill No. 372 which became Republic
Act 1245 on June 10, 1955 which provided for the election of Barrio Lieutenants
and Vice-Barrio Lieutenants by qualified residents of the barrio.
The basic foundation for governing a sitio was laid upon the
promulgation of Republic Act 1245 which entitled a sitio to have a deputy/vice
lieutenant so as to assist the barrio lieutenant in the discharge of duties and
responsibilities. Sitio Utod had laid claim of the first deputy/vice lieutenant
in the person of Hon. Pedro Caintic, initiated his first term of office in
1930.
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| Barrio Lieutenant Jesus Alba and Wife Nay Tiyang |
At this point of time September
9, 1955, Republic Act No. 1408 was enacted by the Philippine Congress, the
barrio council became the smallest unit of government and greater powers and
responsibilities were granted to it, a provision on law the election schedule
was set every third Tuesday of January annually.
As a consequence to the
enactment of RA- 1408 local leaders sub-served to ease the acquisition of lots
for public consumption as required by law for the establishment of a Barrio
unit. Thereafter the negotiation of a barrio lot set as a socio- cultural and
sport site was acquired. A parcel of lot owned by Diosdado Piamonte Amihan was
purchased during that year. The event was followed by another acquisition of a
piece of land for the school site owned by the Israel Family, the documents of
purchased were signed by then barrio captain in the person of Hon. Paulino
Castones.
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| Pres. Ramon Magsaysay and Vice-Pres. Carlos P. Garcia |
On January 6, 1956, Executive Order No. 156 was issued by President
Ramon Magsaysay creating the Office of the Presidential Assistant on Community
Development (PACD). Under this Executive Order, the Presidential Assistant is
mandated to act for and in behalf of the President in all matters pertaining to
community development.
A fruition of all the dreams,
efforts and undertakings of the settlers came into reality thence on June 21,
1959 by virtue of Republic Act No. 2606, an act changing the name of barrio
Utod in the municipality of Baybay, province of Leyte to Guadalupe. It was in
that year the time of Philippine 4th congress 1957-1961 represented by
Congressman Alberto Alguja a representative from the 2nd legislative district
of Leyte. The municipality of Baybay along with the municipalities of Inopacan,
Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, Matalom, Albuera, (Ormoc) which became a city only in
1947 and Kananga established only in 1950 all belong to the 2nd district of
Leyte. Republic Act 2606 timeline the life of Guadalupe as a full pledged
barrio signed by then President Carlos P. Garcia another President from the
Visayas region.
Afterward on June 22, 1963, Republic Act 3590, otherwise known as the
“Revised Barrio Charter” was signed into law by Pres. Diosdado Macapagal This
legislation amends R.A. 2370 and expands the scope of barrio power. Membership
to the Council was increased to include a Barrio Captain and six Councilmen.
Admittedly one of the longest sitting Barrio Captain in the history of
Barrio Guadalupe was the two termers Barrio
Captain Hon. Narciso D. Paraiso who served the council from 1965-1969 and
1969-1981 because there was no election during the era of martial law.
Other laws affecting barrio governance were enacted between 1966 and
1970 – Republic Act 4709 (June 18, 1966) R.A. 4898 (June 17, 1967), R.A. 5185
(September 12, 1967), R.A. 5676 (August 13, 1969), R.A. 6054 (August 4, 1969)
and R.A. 6128 (June 17, 1970).
Immediately after the declaration of Martial Law on September 21,
1972, General Order No. 3 of the President was issued, ordaining “all barrios
throughout the land to continue to function under the present officers and
employees in accordance with existing laws. Letter of Implementation No. 7
dated November 1972 was later issued creating the Department of Local
Government and Community Development (DLGCD) to implement the Integrated
Reorganization Plan of the government under Presidential Decree No. 1. There
were no less than 20 decrees promulgated by President Ferdinand E. Marcos
affecting barrio governance after Proclamation 1081.
Historical events of mass migration
to the place happened sometimes in the middle of 70s, groups of individuals and
some other with families of construction workers influx to steady down to Guadalupe.
The steadfast population growth brought about by the infrastructural and administrative development
of the nearby agricultural institution as it morphed from the Visayas College
of Agriculture into the Visayas State College of Agriculture such quantitative
and qualitative transformation greatly affected the political, cultural and
economic conduct among the people. Another mass movement of people that equally
affected the course of people’s affair was that of the trans-migration of
people from the interior barrios of the municipality of Baybay that had been
displaced by disorderliness of the NPA movement during the mid and late 70s.
The people fled from their place of origin to find comfort in the bosom of our
beloved Guadalupe, the refuge to those who are afflicted in the turbulence.
The last Barangay election held
before 1981 was on January 1972, by virtue of Commission on Elections
Resolution 1069 promulgated on December 14, 1971. This election was followed
after a lapse of ten years, when Parliamentary Bill 2125 was filed at the
Batasan Pambansa calling for the suffrage. The bill was enacted into law on
March 23, 1982 and approved by the President on March 25, 1982 as Batas
Pambansa 222, otherwise known as the “Election Act of 1982. Term of office was
increased from four years to six years. Election Day was set on May 17, 1982
and the term of office of Barangay Officials commenced on June 7, 1982.
Consequently and certainly, on
June 7,1982in the eyes of the people the first title holder as baranagy captain
went to Barangay captain Hon Casiano Israel. Barangay title sufficed after the
era of martial law succeeding the position vacated by the predecessor barrio
captain Hon. Narciso D. Paraiso.
Meanwhile, on April 9, 1981, Letter of Instruction 134 was issued to define the functions and establish staffing patterns and compensation scheme, of the National Barangay Operations Office. The Administration Code of 1987 incorporated the functions of the NBOO in Section 16 Chapter 4, Title XII thereof.
Under the New Local Government Code, the name Pambansang Katipunan ng Mga Barangay is changed to Liga ng Mga Barangay and this is organized for the primary purpose of determining the representation of the liga in the sanggunian and for ventilating, articulating and crystallizing issues affecting barangay administration and securing through proper and legal means, solution thereto.
The Declaration of Principles and State Policies of the framers of 1987 Constitution chosen by President Corazon C. Aquino, provides that “the state shall ensure the autonomy of the local governments”. Another section states that “the territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the Philippines are the provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays. This provision also appeared in the 1973 Constitution except for the last word wherein the word “barrios” was used. Section 3 of Article X mandates the enactment of the Local Government Code which shall “provide for a more progressive and accountable government structure, instituted through a system of decentralization, with effective mechanism of recall, initiative, and referendum, allocate among the different local government units their powers, responsibilities and resources, and provide for the qualifications, election, appointment and removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local officials and all other matters relating to the organizations and operation of the local units. The New Philippine Constitution was ratified on February 2, 1987. After two years of the ratification, the Local Government Code of 1991 or R.A. 7160 was signed into law by President Corazon C. Aquino on October 10, 1991. Later, on June of the same year, the Katarungang Pambarangay Rules implementing Chapter 7 of the Local Government code was issued by the Department of Justice.
On march28, 1989 a non partisan election conducted in an expeditious and inexpensive manner
was held by virtue of RA 6679 this was originally pre-set on second Monday of
November 1988 by RA 6653 but had been moved to March 28, 1989. The law provided that while the seven kagawads
were to be elected by the registered voters of the barangay, the candidate who
obtains the highest number of votes shall be the punong barangay and in the event
of a tie, there shall be a drawing of lots under the supervision of the
Commission on Elections.
During the term of Barangay Captain/Punong
Barangay Hon Alejandro D. Solis in the
early 90s the barangay through the council expropriated fund to acquire a
parcel of land set aside for opening a diversion road presently referred to as
Tavera’s lane hence the apportioned piece of land was owned by Tavera’s family.
Also in his time Barangay Captain Hon. Alejandro
D. Solis in concurrence with the barangay council thru a resolution authorizing
the executive chairman to sign and execute, for and in behalf of the
barangay, the contract to sell between Mrs. Lelita N. Poliquit as vendor and
the barangay as vendee, involving the property owned by the vendor located at
ZONE 4, BARANGAY GUADALUPE, BAYBAY CITY, covered by XXX TITLES, containing an
area of XXX SQUUARE METERS, and for other purposes. The said property is the
present site of the Barangay Hall, Day Care and Health Centers.
In the
mid 90s an unforeseen political development took place the separation of Visca had came to pass sometimes in 1995 to reckoned
with the Visca community had long established to exercise their socio-political
and area dispensation to Guadalupe. According to former barangay Captain
Alejandro D. Solis that particular episode of the history was the consequence of
peoples’ demand of Pangasugan on the argument that Visca belongs to them. The
basis of their appeal to claim was the border maker positioned at the back of the
Holy Spirit Church good enough to mark out the area between panagsugan and
Guadalupe.
Another
Barangay Captain that had made influential contribution to the advancement of
the people was Captain Hon. Manuel Rom who sought to foster a safe learning
environment for the school children. The Honorable Captain was an intermediary
and an agent of change who can easily lend supports from local leaders. His
endeavors set off to the laying foundation of a two classrooms building located
at Guadalupe Elementary school and another piece of good deeds was the memento of
the present day care center where our kids can quartered and be provided with a
warm, stimulating, safe and reliable environment for nurturing.
Remarkably,
the incumbency of Punong Barangay Hon. Monico C. Amihan had earmarked
allocated reserves to bear the cost for the footing expenditures of the mini
gym( phase I)that had been undertaken during
his remaining years of his first term as Punong Barangay . The second term
turntable the awaited completion of the mini gym structure with the protective
cover (roofing) thoroughly painted except for the flooring that remained
unchanged for decades.
Noteworthy
to mention in the year 2006 his administration did not only established
physical development but also evolved human resource renewal indeed at that
point of time the Visayas State University the educational institution
creditworthy for extension programs and in
cooperation with the barangay council organized a five years development planning workshop.
Therefore,
in all respect to the to the Punong Barangay Hon. Monico C. Amihan who was so
determined to adopt the outcome of the integrated planning framework as the one to be followed in
attempting to refine barangay economic programs, the guiding principle of which
is the integrated correlation of targets and resources in the planning process.
Hereinafter, Punong Barangay Hon.
Monico C. Amihan’s term had been served a spare of more than one year of the
unfinished projects/programs was sustained by a well trained youth leader and a
trend setter with a strong desire to execute a well meaning governance in the
person of Punong Barangay Hon Alexander A. Abungan.
His leadership is a one of a kind
being defined in a set of shared principles, values and rules that recognizes
peers and people on which build a sense of belonging. The present council
strongly agreed to the principle of cooperation and team building to which the
group promotes barangay’s vision and mission.
The essence of the present governance contemplates on clear vision, meaningful goals, and
right support with a provision of the right helps, delivered in the right way s
and trusting the right persons
Right after
the 2010 barangay election just a few weeks before the oath taking of the
sitting council the collective effort of the team yielded to the mini gym
flooring renovation. Subsequently, things being equal that is physical and
human development considered to be equal importance so the council practiced
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