Why run for barangay captain?
That is the common response I got from a couple of batchmates from the FNF Liberal Leadership Seminar when I tell them of my plan to run for barangay captain of Poblacion Lala in Lanao Norte.
Me thinks that their statement is more of a surprise remark than a question. Or is it? Whatever.
They seem to believe that I am better qualified for some higher office like councilor or vice-mayor. For that I am humbled. Really.
I have a 16-year stint in government service at the national level. I worked for the late chief justice Marcelo B. Fernan at the Supreme Court. I also served as one of this executive assistants when he was Senate president. Presently, I am the correspondence and political affairs officer at the Office of Senator Kiko Pangilinan.
Equipped with trainings from the Asian Institute of Management on Leadership and Development Management for Young Legislators (June 2006) and from this first ever FNF Leadership Manila Seminar, add to that my 16 years of government experience, why run for barangay captain?
My humble answer is simple: everything I need to learn about New Public Management in the national, provincial and municipal level, I can learn and apply them at the barangay level.
I firmly believe that our barangay deserves a great liberal leader. Though it is at the bottom of the LGU hierarchy, it is a potent force just the same — being a self-sustaining unit. (think of the concept of the “cell”)
So, why run for barangay captain only? My final answer is: why not?
I believe that the best way to ascend is to descend. I want to bring New Public Management to the barangay level and help build a strong and highly decentralized Philippine Republic.
Patrick Procianos
2006 September
Why run Pat?
but still, the question lurks…why run for barangay captain when you can be president?
Go pat!
Invite mo kami sa ribbon-cutting ng first Jollibee outlet sa Lala, Lanao del Norte.
Do you need help in image-building, branding and communication strategies? Send ko sa iyo rates ko heh heh heh.
… good arguments! with your conviction nothing should hold you back. i think you are dreaming the right dream!
yes, the barangay would be a good place to start bringing your reforms. one small step as a start. who knows? you can become a mayor or governor afterwards? dream the big dream!
or president? who knows…really?
pat..you’re such a liberal idealist. but remember keep your feet on the ground.
break a leg
Thank you very much to all who took time to give comments on my article “why run for barangay captain?”
Many of you have even helped my conviction becomes stronger and my vision bigger.
We just moved in a new barangay last saturday, San Joaquin in Pasig. I’ll have to update you guys if it needs help. My former temporary area of residence in wack wack didnt quite need any but I now see the bad bad effects of barangay councils failing miserably. You might also want to read Dr. Valdehuesa’s Trapo Governance and the Cha Cha Conspiracy. It can be too passionate at times but it has a good argument for barangay empowerment. True to what Patrick said, why not the barangay?
This is a text message from Vice Mayor Allan Lim of Lala, Lanao Norte, on his response upon knowing my plan to run for Barangay Captain of Poblacion Lala:
…
” Ok that s a good plan…tinuod Poblacion Lala needs a good leader like u ug daghan nahibaloan…i wil suport u 4 dat.cgi i wil ask Roy…thank u n welcom home!
Sir Patrick:
I was surprised upon knowing that you are interested in running as Barangay Captain in Lala Proper.With your level now, I could hardly imagine taking such post in local governance. I think several times of what makes you think that way. But as I go through your arguments, I realized that it is passion that drives you through and helps you make up your mind that way.
I know that your development perspectives will help a lot make a difference in the lives of your local constituents. Reform requires no certian amount of money but rather a commitment to start that paradigm shift in a way which you believe that is right.
I know you have strong conviction that development and reform starts with the grassroots and you are indeed right with that. I just hope that you will share your competence not just in local governance but hopefully explore as well in making a difference in cooperatives, people’s organizations and cause-oriented groups who in one way or another thrive to elevàte from poverty with the meager resources at hand.
Go for wherever your passion is!
Melchor, Sir
You’re much younger than me, yet your words exude wisdom and foresight.
Sayang!I failed to drop by at the mayor’s office last Monday afternoon. I met VM Allan at his ofc.
I hope you will transfer your COMELEC registration from Pacita to Lala so you’ll be the first to vote for me…ha!ha!ha!
Here’s my email ad: highpassion@gmail.com
Please email me so i can get your address and send you a copy of my platform.
Hi & hello to my classmates and blogmates!
Barangay election is fast approaching. My plan to run for Barangay Captain in Poblacion Lala, Lanao Norte is still alive. I still believe i can make a big difference by bringing new public management to barangay level and help build a critical mass of LGU practicing this new concept of local governance.
Im confident i can win by God’s favor and by the support og my family, relatives and friends.
But i have to face personal trade- off. The honorarium for brangay captain in Poblacion Lala is Php 5,000.00, in exchange for my salary and benefits here at the Office of Senate Majority Leader Francis N. Pangilinan. It can’t sustain for the needs of my family- i have 2 daughters in elementary grade and 2 more in high school. The four of them are enrolled in a private school.
Nevertheless, the passion to serve our local government unit keeps burning in me. And bringing New Public Mangement to the barangay level is a worthy cause.
. . . hope to receive comments.
thanks
Patrick
I would like to see a continuation of the topic
Hi Sir Patrick,
Just type your name in search engine, and surprise that you have blogs.Hope you still remember me.
This is the man we need in our sick and cruel politics. A man of God!,and has heart to people that so in need. Based in my experienced. Sir please allow me to give my services in terms of designing your campaign materials for FREE!. One favor lng po pwede magpa-counsel ulit. I really want to talk to you.
If you have time Sir Here’s my email add anton.arroyo@gmail.com
Hi Anton! It’s a sweet surprise to read your remarks on me. Plese help refresh my memory on you ( sorry for that). Maybe you can send me photos too . ha ha ha.
Update:
I wasn’t able to run for barangay captain in Lala Proper, Lanao Norte. I was tasked as regional campain director of Senator KIKO PANGILINAN for CARAGA Region and part of ARMM Region when he ran as an independent senator… But my passion for active participation in local governance is still quite alive. On Nov. 23-30, 2008, I went to the International Leadership Academy in Gummersbach, Germany and trained for the topic: Local Government and Civil Society. I’m now looking for opportunities to conduct free seminar on local governance.
patrick procianos