Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas welcomed the signing of a new law extending the term of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, saying the additional time in office should translate into more work and better service for communities.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 12326 on September 24, fixing the term of barangay and SK officials at five years and moving the next Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE) from November 2026 to November 2028. The law also provides for succeeding BSKEs to be held every five years.
Treñas said the extension should be used by barangay officials to continue serving residents, particularly since they are the local leaders most directly approached when problems arise in their communities.
“For me, ang importante is what we do with the additional time given to us,” Treñas said in a post on her Facebook page.
“Our barangay officials are the ones closest to our people. Sila ang una nga ginapalapitan kun may problema sa komunidad. They know what is happening on the ground, and they are also our partners in bringing the programs of the City Government closer to our people,” she added.
“So, if they are given more time to serve, then we also expect more work to be done,” Treñas said.
She said the city government would also continue implementing its programs and projects during the extended period.
“Since wala anay sang election, indi man kita maapektuhan sang election ban, so we have more time to continue what we have started and roll out more programs,” she said.
Treñas particularly cited the “Atipan on the Move” program, which she said would continue to be brought directly to barangays along with other city programs.
“Ilabi na ang ‘Atipan on the Move,’ nga dal-on naton mismo sa mga barangay along with our other programs. We will continue working closely with our barangay and SK officials,” she said.IMT
