Day 135: Technically a Punong Barangay

I was designated as the Officer-in-Charge since all the barangay officials were off to a Lakbay-Aral in Palawan and Las Piñas. I actually functioned as the Punong Barangay, Barangay Captain, of Barangay Fatima for 5 days. Actually it's just 4 since last Friday was the last day of Ramadan and it's a holiday.

It's was an incomparable experience and I never dreamed of it, though many dreamed of it for me.

Two ball pens.

I cannot even remember how many signatures I have had during that time. A 3-day of signing for Barangay permits and Gasoline purchases was like a third of all the documents I signed on the whole of SK Chairmanship. What a job! And many are out there telling that an official had done nothing! I can't imagine. And that's just the start.

Everyday people from different agencies both in the community and the City were there talking to you on things to be implemented and the requirements necessary for it's completion. Decisiveness and command before your personnel are the key that I know important during those times.

First invitation was a fora for LGBT.

Never was a day that there's no important engagements that you need to be in. One time, I attended an ABC meeting, a meeting that's only for Punong Barangays in the City. Since I was the Punong Barangay, technically, I attended the meeting. I rode on the car dedicated to transport our Kapitan, and it's NOT cool! Literally. The cryonator broke down and we travelled with open windows. 

The meeting started with the attendance not reaching majority, which made the council dispense house rules. On my mind, "You cannot blame your SK Chairpersons…" I don't know the reasons why some were not around but I want to share the candid thought. What a thrill it was rubbing elbows with several Punong Barangays.

"Opo, first time".

One memorable moment when I was the OIC was when I experienced my first buy-bust documentation. I saw for the first time packets of shabu! More crystalized than tawas, relatively as tawas with some noticeable chunks of grains, cost so hefty! Tawas only cost you a peso. I'm being comic here. I remember the Police asked, "First time nimo sir?". After all the signatories for the report came in they had us photographed and I went back home. It was 21h00.

Authority.

Days gone so fast and it's my last day. And, I don't know, before I ended my OIC functions I released Memorandum for the vehicles to be on temporary deposit. Since Friday will be holiday government vehicles should not be frolicking around since it's a day off. What a sight would it be when the Starex, motorcycles and dump trucks were out and gliding the streets on a holiday observance. Thanks to my staff; Te Daisy and Kuya Luther introduced the measure.

The fine Te Daisy.

Ya Luth. (Not real eye-color)

Gladly, the employees had surrendered their motorcycles and kept the trucks on the their place until the next working day.

I would like to thank…

All the employees, mga tao ni Kapitan, my SK Staff, our barangay officials, policemen, and everyone in the barangay for allowing me to have a smooth experience as an OIC.

Any more words?

A friend from the US was almost anxious with what I mean with my post:

He sent a private message, which will no longer be private, that reads:

Day 140: Perhaps of the Beverage?

I haven't chatted with my homestay family from Germany for so long time since recently. Max was left home alone so we can't go with our usual family chat. However, many things had happened for the past months we last Skyped. We had a good, almost 2 hour chat.

A couple of minutes...

One thing that we talked about was language learning. By the way, he can speak 4 languages: German, French, English, and Latin; and he's planning to take Spanish language course on college. Well, I technically speak four languages, too, let's see: Cebuano, Tagalog, English, and French; and currently studying Hebrew. I'm thinking of having less time with Hebrew though and focus on my fluency in French. Can I include Ilonggo, as well? Please, please, please! Hahahahah!!!

To the video!

Moving on, I shared the video to him with a fair warning, that there's no intention of offending German people or language. And that I had only found this on my blissful Youtube wanderings.

As he watched I can see him through his camera giggling and burst to laughing on the last word with a strong affirmation of "This is true!"

Now, let me share you the video we were talking about. Enjoy!

You jolted the first time the German guy spoke, didn't you?

What was the last word again? Hahaha...

Any more words?

Tell me what you think!

I will not be joining the trip to Palawan where all the barangay officials be. I never thought of being the OIC since, experience had it, Kap relinquishes his position to other individuals, until our Punong Barangay had the approved document from the DILG issued for me. Gulp.

Day 142: French for Pinoys

I would like to start August with something funny...

It's not concealed to those whom I'm with like every single day that I'm learning French. As I can assess myself, I'm like a Grade II student. But that's not the point of my post this time.

Now you can see I'm not heading to a Sangguniang Kabataan-related post but about SK, that is, Samejon Kevin. My introduction gently "warns" readers ahead about this!

I found this video on Youtube, c'est super! I mean it’s not educational and all that but it does give you a comic relief after a rigid French learning sessions.

According to her Youtube Channel, she only had 4 uploaded videos, just 3 technically because the other was re-uploaded in a different title. Interesting enough is her upload about the French language.

Why should she include such topic? Perhaps she’s learning French or fascinated with France. I don’t know, unless she would comment about it here!

However, the French speaking community should not take this video serious. It’s not a show of mockery to the language we love, but shows much fascination this gal could really have had in the language.

If you are a Filipino and learning French, you will certainly feel the punch. Brace yourself and of you go for a laugh ride!

 

Any more words?

My Thursday post would be equally jolly. Clue: I have a German friend.

Day 162: SK Governance v.5.0

Our last session for the SK Governance program is "The SK Budget". We had it in the SK Office  with Mrs. Elizabeth P. Sorilla, Budget Officer IV, as lecturer.

Mrs. Sorilla will be retiring soon and she expressed her gratefulness to have her last lecture on budget, before retirement with the young. But the Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Fatima had the pleasure of having this seasoned public employee with us. However, her public service might not end here since she's posed for a position in their barangay, as an official.

She has given notable insights on how we the barangay budget came to be, and how the SK budget took its form. She further identified important aspects of the SK fund's allocation requirements and gave points to which project it may be put to good use in a barangay setting.

A focused discussion on SK Budget is available on this audio presentation via Youtube. This being said, she also discussed allocation of the barangay funds and a good amount of life experience.

Any more words?

We will be providing profiles of prospective Sangguniang Kabataan candidates, especially the Chairpersons. How these profiles are generated will be best explained on future posts.

I was thinking of sharing something funny on my next post.

Day 173: Parliamentary Procedure 101 pt. 1

Our Parliamentary Procedure Lecture, part of the SK Governance program, was held today, 12^th of July 2013, at (can you believe it?) Sangguniang Panglungsod Session Hall! Yes!

Before the lecture/workshop, we we’re invited by our speaker to secure permission from the Vice Mayor’s for the use of the facility. The request was granted. On the day, the staffs have been very accommodating and the hall was so fitting for the said lecture. The facility and total ambience welcomed the participants for the lecture’s invitation of a healthy mental calisthenics.

We had an awesome time with more than 30 young people, prospective SK Officials and students, and guests.

The company was participative enough to thoroughly practice what Mrs. Rosalinda Mondido taught. They had a workshop and Kervin Cang became the mock session’s Presiding Officer, proponents of the discussed motion were Metuschella Lasdoce and Vlademir Durban, Jr.

Basic Principles in Parliamentary Procedure.

1. Every member has equal right, whether to vote or discuss.
2. Majority, i.e., Simple Majority (1/2+1), always rules; however,
3. Minority must be heard and rights be protected.
4. There should be singularity of subject having one subject at a time.
5. Debate and free discussion is allowed, must be allowed.
6. Motions are to be voted upon.
7. The Presiding Officer must be impartial, fair.
8. Courtesy to others during meeting, decorum, is observed in any proceedings.

But what is “decorum”?

In Mrs. Mondido’s words, “In parliamentary parlance, the term decorum refers to the propriety of conduct and decency of words or speech of members in a deliberative body or assembly.”

The Rules of Decorum…

…should be known by any participant of a Parliamentary Procedure. Remember to observe:

• Impersonal and formal reference to the Presiding Officer
• Impersonal and formal reference to another member.
• Pertinence of statements to issue discussed.
• Remarks, questions, or answers are coursed to the Chair.
• Speaking against own motion is not allowed.
• Time limit! As how Mrs. Mondido [link] suggested, only 2 minutes for each speaker.
• Civility of conduct is expected – on all members.
• No monopoly of discussion or debate.
• Changing of votes may be made by members.
• Seeking recognition first before speaking.
• Timing of “motion to adjourn”. It must not be done if someone is speaking or has the floor.
• That motion of reporting committee chairman or member needs no second.
• Impartiality of the Chair.
• That exercise of right has limit.

Interpellation Rules!

Ma’am Mondido kept it plain:

• Be honest in asking questions
• Avoid embarrassing questions
• Avoid fault-finding questions
• Avoid questions that tend to cross examine or interrogate.
• Avoid asking more than two successive questions at a time.
• Graciously acknowledge the answer.
• Never argue with the respondent.

Any more words?

Glory be to God in all of these feats! There are other things that we have learned. I may post it soon. I’ll link the two posts for review.

Tomorrow will be last session for this program, SK Budgeting. This ought to be fun!

Also, have time to click this link for the schedule and program of the Kal’ton Festival.

Happy 3^rd Kal’ton Festival Fatima!

Day 182: iLead 3

Last month marks the last Intentional Leadership (iLead) traning, for this term. It was conducted June 12 through 14 at Villa RealResort, Nagpan, Sarangani Province.

S-P-E-L-L!

The iLead raised to the power of 3 focused on three things: (1) Financial Management for the POs and other organizations, (2) Boy-Girl Relationships, and (3) team building. Moreover, we achieved our three purposes.

Participants from different puroks joined the program. On one hand, some purok leaders who are students were not able to join since it was school days. On the other hand, many took the commitment to really take absence and gain skills and knowledge for their puroks.

UPDATES ABOUT KAL'TON FESTIVAL BELOW!!!

However, weak participation was experienced during the conduct of the said program even the efforts made to reach out and confirm their participation. In this blog post will be some photo mementos.

"We can have greater profit with Y!"

Thinking is a must!

A good dose in the morning.

Good 15-minute output! :)

"The picture showed..." Essay writing about the image in iLead 3 tarp.

Job's early days of trial.

You know him if you had been in iLead 2 and 3.

Progress as a group guys!

Kagawad April Rose with Ton-ton and Ricky.

Finding Pusti-Sho Nemo.

To infinity and beyond!!!

Any more words?

We have started to disseminate information about the Kal'ton Festival activities.

Last Tuesday, we had met with the schools for Drum and Bugle Competition. Earlier than that, last Saturday, we met with the PSK representatives for widespread dissemination.

The soonest possible time, I'll post the program for the Kal'ton Festival in this site.

Almost there...

Day 190: Resolution Making 101 pt.4

To conclude the topic about Resolution making, or drafting, for your Sanggunian, LGU, or organization, let us do a recap. We like to give credits to Ma’am Mondido for this.

Parts of a Resolution.

We have understood that a Resolution has eight parts.

1. Heading
2. Name of Author
3. Assigned Number
4. Title
5. “Whereas” Clause
6. Main Resolutory Portion
7. Secondary Resolutory Portion, and
8. Concluding Portion

We have discussed these parts on batches: Heading to Title, and “Whereas” Clause to the Concluding Portion.

Purpose.

Heading.

• Its purpose is to indicate the originating local unit or organization.

Name of Author.

• Its purpose is to indicate authorship.

Assigned Number.

• Its purpose is to reflect the numerical series in the order they were discussed and approved.

Title.

• Its purpose is to express in once sentence the substance of the resolution.

“Whereas” Clause.

• Its purpose is to provide the reasons for the adoption of the resolution in logical sequence.

Main Resolutory Portion.

• Its purpose is to reflect what legislative or deliberative body feels or desires.

Secondary Resolutory Portion.

• Its purpose is to show how the resolution should reach the person or entity that would act on the wish of the Sanggunian or organization, including the distribution of copies thereof.

Concluding Portion.

• Its purpose is to embody the date and the place of approval, the verification of the presiding officer, and the attestation of the secretary.

Any more words?

I feel relieved having finished this series. Whew! However, really tidy up your Resolution, do not forget to consider the "Language of a Resolution".

I’ll update you with iLead3 very soon.

Work Cited: Mondido, R. (2010). Resolution making with minutes prep.