TAGUM CITY, Davao del Norte (PIA)—Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-Davao del Norte Provincial Director Jonathan J. Leybag has urged barangay local governments to find ways to generate local income on top of the allotment from the national government.
He made the call during the recently conducted Conference for Barangay Officials, Municipal Treasurers and Assessors, bannering the theme “Empowering Barangays: Capacity Building for Enhanced Local Revenue Generation,” held at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex, Mankilam, Tagum City.
Leybag also assured LGUs, especially the barangays, of the technical assistance that DILG Davao del Norte can extend on economic enterprise development.
“I challenge the barangays to go the extra mile,” he said. “Dili lang ta magsigig salig sa national tax collection (We should not be always dependent on the national tax collection)… I challenge the barangay nga magmugna ta og economic activities para madugangan ang atong panudlanan (to create economic activities to draw additional income for the coffers),” he added.
Leybag suggested the following strategies for barangays to generate local income and revenues:
- Formulate policies on economic development by establishing more economic activities in the area, such as setting up night markets, wholesale markets, barangay markets and terminals;
- Develop available resources and capacities and pass ordinances on rentals, such as rentals of gymnasiums for private use;
- Create a pool of economic managers and develop the potentials of the barangay business sector;
- Create a business-friendly environment and improve peace and order and infrastructure;
- Benchmark to model barangays with best practices on economic activities; and
- Exemplify transparency and accountability in governance.
Leybag pointed out the benefit that local economic activities can do for the barangay constituents as these would mean more revenue collections that eventually could be turned into socioeconomic programs and services.
“Magtinabangay ta, maningkamot ta nga molambo ang atong barangay (Let us help each other, let’s strive for the progress of our barangays),” Leybag said. (JMDA/PIA XI with report and photo of DILG Davao del Norte)
