Barangay Election was successfully over throughout the Philippines last October 28, 2013. The Philippines, which consists of different 
municipalities/cities in every region, have lots of barangay. For those 
who are not Filipinos, you may ask what is a barangay?
Barangay is like a community in other term. Well, basically, this 
definition comes from Wikipedia: a barangay is the smallest 
administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino 
term for a village, district or ward. 
A barangay is headed or lead by what we call “Barangay Captain”. In some 
barangay, they call it “Barangay Chairman”. If we go back in history, 
before the Spanish came to our land, today’s barangay can be described 
as a tribe being ruled by a “datu” or the chief of the tribe, 
particularly in Visayas and Mindanao regions. 
Then what is the primary role of a Barangay Chairman/Captain? Actually, 
it seems easy to think that his duty is just to maintain peace and order
 of the community, however, if we’ll just go and research some 
information, you’ll surely be thinking if you really want to go and run 
as an official.
The following are the Roles of the Barangay Chairman/Captain in accordance to Department of Interior and Local Government.
CHAPTER 3 - THE Punong Barangay 
SECTION 389. Chief Executive: Powers, Duties, and Functions. – 
(a) The Punong Barangay, 
as the chief executive of the Barangay government, shall exercise such powers and perform 
such duties and functions, as provided by this Code and other laws. 
(b) For efficient, effective and economical governance, the purpose of which is the general 
welfare of the Barangay and its inhabitants pursuant to Section 16 of this Code, the 
Punong Barangay shall: 
(a) Enforce all laws and ordinances which are applicable within the Barangay; 
(b) Negotiate, enter into, and sign contracts for and in behalf of the Barangay, upon 
authorization of the Sangguniang Barangay (Council of the Barangay); 
(c) Maintain public order in the Barangay and, in pursuance thereof, assist the city or 
municipal mayor and the sanggunian (council) members in the performance of their duties and 
functions; 
(d) Call and preside over the sessions of the Sangguniang Barangay and the Barangay 
assembly, and vote only to break a tie; 
(e) Upon approval by a majority of all the members of the Sangguniang Barangay, 
appoint or replace the Barangay treasurer, the Barangay secretary, and other 
appointive Barangay officials; 
(f) Organize and lead an emergency group whenever the same may be necessary for 
the maintenance of peace and order or on occasions of emergency or calamity within 
the Barangay; 
(g) In coordination with the Barangay development council, prepare the annual executive 
and supplemental budgets of the Barangay; 
(h) Approve vouchers relating to the disbursement of Barangay funds; 
(i) Enforce laws and regulations relating to pollution control and protection of the 
environment; 
(j) Administer the operation of the Katarungang PamBarangay in accordance with the 
provisions of this Code; 
(k) Exercise general supervision over the activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan; 
(l) Ensure the delivery of basic services as mandated under Section 17 
of this Code; (m) Conduct an annual palarong Barangay which shall 
feature traditional sports and 
disciplines included in national and international games, in coordination with the 
Department of Education; 
(n) Promote the general welfare of the Barangay; and 
(o) Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be 
prescribed by law or ordinance. 
(c) In the performance of his peace and order functions, the Punong Barangay shall be 
entitled to possess and carry the necessary firearm within his territorial jurisdiction, 
subject to appropriate rules and regulations.
So, people of the Philippines, let's be aware of the duties and functions of the leader of our community. Let us all be concerned about some political aspect. You may never know, but maybe someday, YOU can make a better change to your community, ey?! :)