SP amends purok development program ordinance

In its regular session, on Monday, presided over by Presiding Officer Pro Tempore Councilor Romeo V. Calizo, the 20th City Council enacted an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 14726-2024, entitled “An Ordinance Establishing and Institutionalizing the Purok System in the Delivery of Development Programs in Every Barangay of Cagayan de Oro City, Appropriating Funds Therefor and for other purposes.”

This, after City Mayor Rolando A. Uy, in his letter dated April 1, 2024, requested for the amendment of Section 15 Article II and Sections 19, 21, and 22 Article III to facilitate the effective and efficient implementation of the said ordinance.

Puroks are sub-units of barangays, which are the basic political unit of the government and traditionally considered as the geographical groupings of households within the barangays that ease delivery of basic government services, thereby promoting Bayanihan in the community.

The city government intends to transform the “purok” as a powerful tool for community mobilization and action, through the institutionalization of a purok development system in every barangay of the city to further improve the delivery of services to the constituents.

The establishment of purok is provided for in Paragraph 16, Section 391 of RA 7160 which states that the Sangguniang Barangay can provide for the organization of community brigades, barangay tanod, or community service units as may be necessary.

Specifically, the city adopts the purok system as a holistic approach to the delivery of basic services to the constituents and a feedback mechanism to facilitate the development of all barangays of the city.

It shall likewise endeavor to promote strong cooperation among residents through active engagement in community governance, The Gavel learned.

The legislation was certified urgent by the City Mayor and approved by the City Council.