The barangay is the smallest level of government and political body in the Philippines. It is the primary planning and implementing unit for the community’s government policies, plans, programs, initiatives, and activities. The Edukampyon Local Governance Webinar Series was produced by Rex Education and the Center for Local Governance and Professional Development, Inc. (CLGPD) in recognition of their role as duty-bearers. The goal of the webinar series was to educate barangay officials and local government units (LGUs) better understand their obligations as public servants, with the call, “Alamin. Matuto. Makilahok,”
“What we aim for everyone to see is how policies and guidance from the top levels of our government are implemented on the ground with help and assistance from our local governments. What we want to leave behind with everyone is hope, borne of the realization that there are champions of education much closer to your homes, and that you too, can become champions of education,” said REX Education Chief Executive Officer Don Timothy Buhain during his opening message for one of the webinar episodes.
The webinar series focuses on REX Education’s Edukampyon agenda, which seeks to promote education and contribute to the creation of an environment in which every lifelong learner is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, challenged, and values-oriented. It also recognizes the vital role of duty-bearers from diverse communities as Edukampyon and contributors to the nation’s development.
This is where the government plays a key role, as barangays and local governments share the responsibility of championing education. REX Education, as a lifelong learning partner, offers outlets like the Edukampyon Local Governance Webinar Series to further encourage and fuel the nation’s servant-leaders’ passion for service, from the top down, so they may better serve their communities.
A 9-Episode Series Seals Rex Education’s Support
This 9-episode series is a campaign to highlight the duties of LGU officials as champions of education. It also serves as an introduction and supporting material to Rex Education’s recent release, the Barangay Handbook on Leadership and Management, which is a set of handbooks covering laws, implementing rules and regulations (IRRs), program activities, and legal opinions for barangay officials to use as references.
The first two episodes tackle policies, programs, and systems of early childhood care and development in the Philippines. Episodes 3 to 9 cover Barangay Governance; Barangay Social Services; Barangay Fiscal Management; Barangay Justice, Security, and Disaster Preparedness; and Barangay Accountability.
Each episode features keynote speakers who shared their expert insights on each topic, including Hon. Epimaco Densing III, undersecretary for operations of the Department of Interior and Local Governance (DILG), who shared his expertise on Barangay Governance and the roles and responsibilities of the barangay officials under the Local Government Code of 1991; Kathrine Joyce Dellosa, medical officer for the Department of Health’s (DOH) Bureau of Local Health Systems and Development, who talked about the barangay framework when it comes to health response; Hon. Tonisito M.C. Umali, undersecretary for the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service, who covered learning continuity initiatives; Brenda Miranda and Mary Ann Rada of the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) on fiscal matters and budget management; Cheryl Navarro, disaster risk reduction focal person of the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) National Barangay Operations Office; Elenida Del Rosario-Basug, director of the climate change service of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); and Atty. Enrique Dela Cruz, Jr., municipal councilor of Baliuag, Bulacan and lecturer at the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance.
Each episode also includes experiences and best practices shared by different barangay exemplars, to encourage and inspire other barangays and LGUs.
“Sana po mapalawig natin ang mga impormasyong ito para alam ng ating mga kababayan ang importansiya ng barangay at ng local governance sa pagpapatakbo ng ating gobyerno. At importante, kung gusto talaga natin ng tunay na pagbabago, kailangan makiisa ng lahat sa pagpapatakbo ng gobyerno. Tayo ang pagbabago (We hope can deepen everyone’s understanding about the importance of the barangays and local governance on the success of implementing government policies. If we want change, it’s important that everyone does their part to help the government. We are the change),” said Hon. Epimaco Densing III.
On Rex Education’s official Facebook page, you may watch episodes of the Edukampyon Local Governance Webinar Series. Rex Bookstore outlets nationwide and [email protected] sell the Barangay Handbook on Leadership and Management.
