Outstanding Baguio village chiefs feted

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY -- The city government led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong honored the Summer Capital's Outstanding Punong Barangays for 2020-2021 last week at the Baguio City Hall.
    Feted for 2020 were barangay captains Arthur Carlos of Irisan, Nemesio Huag of Gibraltar, Anselm Tao-ing of West Quirino Hill, Angelina Ramos of Camp 7, Josephine Balusdan of Sto. Tomas Proper, Elsie Magdalene Tindoc of Manuel Roxas, May Gonzales of Aurora Hill Proper, Ma. Teresa Caracas of Upper Market, Ariel de Monte of DPS and Debbie Banagui of Magsaysay Private Road.
    For 2021, the city's top punong barangays were Arthur Carlos of Irisan; Dinah Campos of Upper Quezon Hill; Raul Caronongan of MRR-Queen of Peace; Jefferson Cheng of AZCKO; Joey David of Upper Rock Quarry; Socorro Fernandez of Imelda Village; Florita Gacayan of Palma Urbano; Enrique Lindaoan (+) of Lucnab, represented by Jerry Esteban and Mrs. Lindaoan; Manolo Llaneta of Scout Barrio; Nicanor Nialla of San Antonio Village.
    Hailed as a Hall of Famer for the search is Debbie Banagui (Magsaysay Private Road) for being a top barangay (village) executive for three consecutive years while Arthur Carlos (Irisan), with two years as top PB, needs a year more for the same award.
    Special Services Division Officer in Charge Michelle Agbuya said the search for the Top Ten Punong Barangays in Baguio is an institutionalized activity of the Rotary Club of Metro Baguio since 1994.
    The search went on during the pandemic years through the efforts of the Rotary Club and support from the Local Government of Baguio, Social Services Division-City Mayor's Office, Liga ng Mga Barangay, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The awarding ceremonies were put on hold in 2020 and 2021 but the search went on.
    As to the criteria for judging from the implementers, it has evolved through the years with the need of the times which focuses on the implementation of livelihood projects, anti-drug abuse campaigns, peace and order, women and children protection, establishment of a barangay human rights action center, health and sanitation, and environment protection and climate change.
    The PBs were also evaluated as to having a katarungang pambarangay or lupong tagapamayapa, how well the annual budget and annual development plans were prepared, the adoption and maintenance of parks, monitoring, and prevention of proliferation of illegal structures, enforcement of anti-squatting laws and ordinances, family background and leadership traits.