• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Deserving puroks and officials in Bacolod City will soon be recognized after the Sangguniang Panlungsod passed on third and final reading the Purok Recognition and Award Ordinance (PRAO), authored by councilors Renecito Novero and Em Ang.
The ordinance seeks to “encourage efficient voluntary community service in every purok and to accord due recognition and award to deserving puroks and officials”, the councilors stressed, adding that purok officials serve without any remuneration, and are often the actual first line of service in barangays.
Puroks and their respective officials contribute much in the maintenance of peace and order, community development, family solidarity, sport activities, annual festivities as well as the environmental program of the barangays in Bacolod, so it is only appropriate to give due recognition to the voluntary service of these purok officials, they added.
Under the ordinance, a Purok Recognition and Award Committee will be created, headed by the city mayor, to come up with guidelines in the selection of best purok and purok official/s.
Indicators and criteria in the selection of winners include anti-drug, cleanliness and sanitation, peace and order, livelihood, and sports programs, as well as innovations, good practices, and people participation in the development of the purok.
The schedule for the recognition and award should preferably be during the celebration of the Bacolod charter anniversary, the ordinance states, as the SP approved an allocation of P2 million as initial funding. | CGC
