Special Report

PROMISES REDEEMED AND FULFILLED

 

                        On December 1, 2007, when Atty. Renato U. Galimba took over the reins of the Local Government of Barangay Greater Lagro at the start of his first term as Barangay Chairman, the first and most pressing concern that he undertook to address and deal with involved the promotion and maintenance of peace and order and public safety within the barangay’s area of responsibility (AOR). 

            From the start, Atty. Galimba had directly and personally taken charge of the management and operations of the Barangay Public Safety Office (BPSO), opting to take over the Chairmanship of the Committee on Peace and Order himself.

            As enunciated by Atty. Galimba at that time, he believed that for a particular place to really take off and emerge as a major business, commercial, educational and residential destination, it is imperative to attract and convince the captains of industries and other stakeholders to locate and invest in the barangay by creating an environment that is conducive and ideal for such endeavors -- an environment unhindered by the usual constraints attendant  to a growing community like Barangay Greater Lagro.

            And foremost among these constraints that the Barangay Chairman promptly undertook to address and deal with involved the promotion and maintenance of peace and order and public safety within the community.

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The BARANGAY EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AS ENVISIONED BY ATTY. RENATO U. GALIMBA

 

            The objectives of the barangay LGU under the leadership of Barangay Chairman Atty. Renato U. Galimba in pursuing a concerted, multi-sectoral effort and cooperation to hasten the development of Barangay Greater Lagro dovetail with the overall objectives being pursued by the Quezon City government under the leadership of Mayor Herbert M. Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte and, to a wider extent, that of the national government under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.   

            Moreover, these objectives were in pursuit of the policies and programs publicly announced and promised by Atty. Galimba when he ran and got elected as Chief Executive of the barangay LGU during his first of three consecutive terms in December 2007. 

            Anchored on the theme, “Righteous Governance”, the executive/legislative agenda of Atty. Galimba’s administration have been focussed on the following:

            + - PROMOTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PEACE AND ORDER AND SAFETY

            + - COMMUNITY INITIATIVES, SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT

            + - SOCIAL, MORAL AND SPIRITUAL RECOVERY PROGRAMS/INITIATIVES

            + - IMPROVED ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICES AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

            + - HEALTH AND SANITATION

            + - EDUCATION, SPORTS AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

            + - CLEANLINESS, BEAUTIFICATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT

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+ - PROMOTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PEACE AND ORDER AND SAFETY

            In the aspect of promotion and maintenance of Peace and Order and Safety, the barangay LGU under the leadership of Barangay Chairman Atty. Renato U. Galimba sought and succeeded in undertaking the following, among others:

            The barangay initiated/conducted dialogues and consultative meetings with the officers and members of the various people’s and non-government organizations, to include those from the religious, educational, business/commercial and other sectors of society based and/or operating within the area of responsibility of the barangay. 

            Besides having been able to enlist the cooperation and support of each particular group of the barangay’s various programs, plans, projects and other undertakings, the barangay was able to organize and put to task a consultative body aptly named the “Barangay Development Advisory Council” or BADAC, with the above-mentioned organizations/groups as the pioneering members.

            In a related move, Atty. Galimba initiated the formation of a “Barangay Peace and Order Committee or BPOC” composed of representatives of peoples’ and non-government organizations (POs/NGOs), religious groups and educational, business and other sectoral groups based and/or operating within the territorial jurisdiction of the barangay LGU, with Atty. Galimba heading the group in his capacity as Barangay Chairman.

            From then on, the members of the BADAC and the BPOC, whether acting as a group or as an individual organization, have been very supportive and in so many ways, have been continuously contributing to the success of many of the barangay’s community/public undertakings, most particularly in the aspects of environmental protection and cleanliness and in the promotion and maintenance of peace and order within the community.

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            ESTABLISHING CLOSE LINKS WITH THE POLICE                       Immediately after Atty. Renato Galimba assumed his post as Barangay Chairman, the barangay LGU sought and successfully established close and  active relationship or ties -- based on mutual trust, cooperation and support --  with the PNP, most particularly with the POLICE STATION-5 of the QUEZON CITY POLICE DISTRICT (QCPD) in whose area of responsibility (AOR) Barangay Greater Lagro falls.  Along this line, the barangay has been able to undertake/accomplish the following:

            + - Regular “Ugnayan” or dialogues between the PNP, the barangay officials and leaders of the various sectors of society aimed at encouraging and promoting community awareness and participation in maintaining peace, order and safety within the community.

            + - Training/seminars for regular Barangay Peace and Safety Officers (BPSO) with QCPD Officers as Trainors/Resource Persons designed to familiarize the BPSO of their duties and functions as civilian law enforcers within the community.

            + - Coordination and participation, in a support role, with the PNP in the conduct of operations against criminal elements, such as those involved in illegal drugs, holduppers, pickpockets and traffic violators, including operations against juvenile offenders such as “rugby boys”, among others.

            + - Formation and Support/Assistance to Neighborhood “Crime Watch/Night Watch” and Civic/People’s Action Groups.

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            It may be worth mentioning that the Local Government of Barangay Greater Lagro, under the leadership of its Barangay Chairman, Atty.  Renato U. Galimba,  has been the recipient of numerous awards, recognitions and other accolades from both the private and government sectors, most particularly its being adjudged for four (4) consecutive years (2011 to 2014) as CHAMPION in the “BEST BARANGAY PEACE AND ORDER COMMITTEE” category in the annual “Search for Barangay Best Practices” conducted by the Quezon City government and the Dept. of Interior & Local Government - National Capital Region (DILG-NCR).          

            In his capacity as barangay chairman and a civic leader, Atty. Galimba has been a two-time awardee of the “GAWAD KARINGAL FOR PUBLIC OFFICIAL INDIVIDUAL SPECIAL RECOGNITION” for the Years 2011 and 2013, given by the Quezon City Police District during the QCPD’s 72nd and 74th Founding Anniversary Celebrations, both occasions held at the QCPD Headquarters at Camp Karingal, Diliman, Quezon City.

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            + - COMMUNITY INITIATIVES, SUPPORT AND INVOLVEMENT

            1. - The NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS, ”CRIME WATCH” (‘NIGHT WATCH’)

            The barangay initiated and/or encouraged and assisted in the formation of  Neighborhood Associations  (NAs) in the various areas or “Purok” within the community.  Acting upon the instance and support of Atty. Galimba,  these NAs formed their own “CRIME WATCH” (“Night Watch”) groups composed of volunteers in their respective neighborhoods. 

            To give more teeth and authority to the members of these “Crime Watch” groups, the barangay, through Atty. Galimba, issued to them formal appointments as “Deputy BPSO/TRAFFIC ENFORCERS” with full duties and responsibilities similar to that of the regular BPSO and Barangay Traffic  Mgmt. Enforcers.  As volunteer officers, however, they are not entitled or do not receive any financial remuneration or salary from the barangay LGU.

            Additionally, each of these volunteer groups have been issued by the barangay one unit of mobile radio in order for them to have immediate and adequate access or contact to the BPSO Headquarters for assistance, advice or instructions in the event of any untoward occurrence in their respective area of responsibillity (AOR). 

            For these and other considerations, these groups and individuals have proven to be very active and effective as agents in crime prevention in their respective areas of responsibility.

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            2. - The “BARANGAY BANTAY BATA”

            The BARANGAY “BANTAY BATA” of Barangay Greater Lagro is composed of concerned residents who volunteered their time and efforts in the service of the community.

            As the name implies, the members of the BARANGAY “BANTAY BATA” of Barangay Greater Lagro primarily serve as temporary guardians/caretakers of the schoolchildren/students at the barangay’s two public schools, namely the Lagro Elementary School and the Lagro High School. 

            Mainly, the members of the group are tasked with the responsibility of watching over, assisting and helping ensure the safety and well-being of the students as they are arriving and entering their school campus at the start of classes and providing the same assistance/service at the end of classes when the students are leaving their campus and taking rides on their way home.     

            The members of the group also serve, on a secondary role, as information officers/reporters, being the most accessible and available link of communication between the barangay LGU and the residents in their respective streets/areas.        

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            3. - The BARANGAY STREET COORDINATORS

            Like that of the BARANGAY “BANTAY BATA”, the BARANGAY STREET COORDINATORS of Barangay Greater Lagro is composed of concerned residents who volunteered their time and efforts in the service of the community.

            The BARANGAY STREET COORDINATORS of Barangay Greater Lagro are the first line of RESPONDERS in the barangay LGU’s organizational set-up.         Primarily, they serve as information officers/reporters and the most accessible and available link of communication between the barangay LGU and the residents in their respective streets/areas of responsibility. 

            The STREET COORDINATORS also coordinate and assist the barangay’s Purok Leaders particularly in the dissemination of information thru the distribution of fliers, information materials and the like.

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            4. - The KABAYAN ACTION GROUP - GREATER LAGRO CHAPTER

            The KABAYAN ACTION GROUP is a national organization created pursuant to the provision of the Philippine Constitution, Local Gov’t. Code (R.A. 7160), Peace & Order Council Executive Order No. 309, PNP-NHQ and PNP-IAS Accreditation.  The organization is committed to assist the PNP in the maintenance of peace and order, monitoring and reporting of all forms of illegal activities and corruption in government, the protection and preservation of our natural resources and committed to support the government’s program on poverty alleviation and moral recovery. 

            The KABAYAN ACTION GROUP - GREATER LAGRO CHAPTER was founded in October 2007 by Atty. RENATO U. GALIMBA, sometime before he was elected to his first term as Chairman of Barangay Greater Lagro. During its over a decade of existence, the KABAYAN Action Group - Greater Lagro Chapter, has been actively contributing its share in the maintenance of peace and order within the community and has been also actively participating in the various socio-economic activities/programs of the Local Government of Barangay Greater Lagro.

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            5. - The LAGRO COMMUNITY RIDERS GROUP (LCRG)

            The Lagro Community Riders Group (LCRG) is an organization based in Barangay Greater Lagro whose membership is composed of motorcycle owners/riders  who believe and subscribe to the importance of volunteerism and the vital role that volunteer riders play in the community. This group is formed to actualize the convergent role of relevant information and volunteer action in uplifting the lives of its members and beneficiaries through empowerment programs/advocacies like brotherhood, environmental and humanitarian activities, among others.  

            Although formally organized only recently, the group has positioned itself as a vital and defendable multiplier force in the implementation of the barangay’s peace and order programs, most particularly in the role of its members as monitoring and reporting agents/officers.   Additionally, the group has been also actively participating in the various socio-economic activities/programs of the Local Government of Barangay Greater Lagro.

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            And so today, this aspect of public administration -- promotion and maintenance of peace and order -- has become the centerpiece and crowning jewel of Atty. Galimba’s numerous achievements as a public administrator, he being the first Barangay Chairman ever to be elected to a three straight terms and accorded such a signal honor by his constituents in the history of Barangay Greater Lagro since it acquired its status as an independent local government unit (LGU) in December 1997.

            The various programs, plans, measures, activities and other relevant undertakings pertaining to the promotion and maintenance of peace, order and safety and which have been implemented and accomplished by the barangay have been designed to dovetail, complement and/or follow those of the national and city LGUs and the Philippine National Police, particularly the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

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            OTHER PEOPLES’/NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS (POs/NGOs) ESTABLISHED THRU BARANGAY INITIATIVES

            + - Kababaihan ng Barangay Greater Lagro (KABARO)

            + - Kasambahay ng Barangay Greater Lagro (KASAMBAHAY) 

            + - Gay and Lesbian of Lagro - One Workforce (GLLOW)

            + - Greater Lagro Overseas Workers - Family Circle (GLOW-FC)

            + - Barangay Greater Lagro PWD & Family Club

            + - Solo Parents Association of Barangay Greater Lagro

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+ - SOCIAL, MORAL AND SPIRITUAL

RECOVERY PROGRAMS/INITIATIVES 

 

            1 -  The UGNAYAN NG BARANGAY AT MGA SIMBAHAN (UBAS)

            The “UGNAYAN NG BARANGAY AT MGA SIMBAHAN (UBAS) - Greater Lagro Chapter” is a strategic partnership of Barangays, the Church and other faith-based organizations and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for good governance and for common good. 

            The group, which was organized sometime in June 2016 upon the instance of Barangay Chairman Atty. Renato U. Galimba, has a present membership of twenty-six (26), representing the Catholic church and other faith-based organizations within the territorial jurisdiction of Barangay Greater Lagro, Novaliches, Quezon City. 

            Upon the initiative of Atty. Galimba, the Local Government of Barangay Greater Lagro, in collaboration with the local chapter of the “Ugnayan ng Barangay at mga Simbahan (UBAS)”, PNP Station 5 of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and the office of Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, weekly counselling/seminars for the barangay’s drug surrenderees (now called “Reformists”) have been regularly held since July 2016 up to the present.  

            Dubbed as “Spiritual, Moral and Social Recovery Program”, this undertaking is a continuing activity held every Sunday and aimed at helping the barangay’s over 150 surrendered drug dependents become God-centered, pro-active and responsible individuals.  It is also aimed at providing them the guidance and inspiration to become productive and civic-spirited  members of the community.

            The initial session was held on Saturday, July 30, 2016, with active members of the “Ugnayan ng Barangay at Mga Simbahan (UBAS)” as resource persons/lecturers.  Since then, the UBAS members, who are mostly heads of religious groups and/organizations based within the barangay, have been taking turns as resource persons during the conduct of the continuing weekend seminars.

            Also held for the benefit and as part of the rehabilitation program being undertaken for the said drug dependents included an out-of-town “Capability Enhancement and Team Building Camp” on  January 28-29, 2017 and again on October 14-15, 2017, both at the High Lands Camp in Iba, Zambales.  Also, a Christmas party/program was held/tendered for the Reformists last December 2017.

            Additionally, a number of the “Reformists” participated in a two-day “Rover Scout Summit and Capacity Enhancement Training” held at the Pranjetto Hills Hotel and Conference Center in Sitio Mayagay, Sampalok, Tanay, Rizal.                     Corollary to these activities, some of the “Reformists” who have “graduated”, meaning they are declared free from drug use by the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council (QCADAAC) headed by QC Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, have secured employment in both the government and private sectors through the intercession of Atty. Galimba and UBAS members.

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            2 - The MAMAYANG AYAW SA ANOMALYA - MAMAMAYANG AYAW SA ILLIGAL NA DROGA (MASA-MASID)

            In consonance with the declared policy-objective of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to wage war on illegal drugs, Barangay Chairman Atty. Renato U. Galimba moved to strengthen and intensify the barangay’s compliance with national laws and issuances, most particularly DILG MC No. 2016-116 which deals on the Implementation of the “MASA-MASID” (Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga), a Program of the Dept. of Interior and Local Government (DILG) that engages community volunteers in the fight against criminality, corruption and illegal drugs.     

            The MASA-MASID is a non-political, non-partisan partnership among the various sectors of society within the barangay aimed at harnessing community participation in support of the campaign against trafficking, use of illegal drugs and/or illegal drug activities at the barangay level, corruption and criminality.

            In line with the above, upon the initiative of Barangay Chairman Galimba, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was entered into by and between the churches through the UBAS (Ugnayan ng Barangay at Mga Simbahan), the Dept. of Interior & Local Government (DILG), the BARANGAY and the other barangay STAKEHOLDERS to institutionalize the MASA-MASID (Mamamayang Ayaw sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Iligal na Droga). The signing of the MOA was held sometime in March 2017.

            Signatory to the said Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) were DILG-QC Director Juan Jovian E. Inginiero; Barangay Chairman Atty. Renato U. Galimba; Police Sr. Insp Jermaine P. Garan who represented the QCPD-Station 5 Commander; and the representatives of UBAS and POs/NGOs.  Quezon City Councilor Ricardo B. Corpus, President, Liga ng mga Barangay; and P/SInsp Garan signed the said MOA as witnesses.

            Among others, the MOA seeks to establish and ensure meaningful and effective implementation of UBAS and barangay projects  through close collaboration in the formulation of policies, programs and services for the common benefits of the people of the barangay.

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            3 - SPIRITUAL-MORAL RECOVERY PROGRAM FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE FOR BARANGAY STAFF/EMPLOYEES

            In pursuit of its self-imposed guiding principle of “Righteous Governance”, the Local Government of Barangay Greater Lagro has been conducting seminars/programs for barangay employees and staff aimed at helping them become God-centered, pro-active and service-oriented civil servants. 

            A brain-child of Barangay Chairman Atty.  Renato U. Galimba, the program is also aimed at providing the employees the guidance and inspiration to become productive and civic-spirited  members of the community. 

            The program was launched and first held in March 2014 with Bishop Diomedes “Joe” Viray of the Come to Jesus Community Church as resource person/lecturer.  Since then, the barangay has been inviting other heads of religious groups and/organizations as resource persons during the seminars which have been conducted at least twice a year hence.

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+ - IMPROVED ADMINISTRATIVE

PRACTICES AND GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

            In September 2014, Barangay Greater Lagro achieved a “mini-grandslam” of sort by dominating that year’s “Search for Barangay Best Practices” conducted by the Quezon City government.  Out of ten categories disputed in the search and up for grab among the 142 barangays in the whole of Quezon City, Greater Lagro came out with the lion’s share as it copped the championships in four categories and emerged second and third placers in two others.

            The search, aptly dubbed  as “Huwarang Balangay (HB) Awards for Best Barangay Practices” was undertaken by the City government as part of the  celebration of the 2014 “Quezon City Barangay Day”.   It was also the last time that the Quezon City LGU conducted the  search as it was subsequently replaced the next year (2015) by what is now known as the search for the “Seal of Good Housekeeping” with the “GAWAD DANGAL NG LUNGSOD” as the highest level award given to the best performing barangay in the whole of Quezon City.  

            True to its winning tradition, and although it fell short of winning the “Gawad Dangal ng Lungsod” during the first year of the competition in 2015, Barangay Greater Lagro copped the top award back-to-back in 2016 and 2017 (please turn to pages 10-11 for photographs taken during the awarding ceremonies held for the two occasions).

            The four categories in the “2014 Huwarang Balangay (HB) Awards for Best Barangay Practices” in which Barangay Greater Lagro emerged as champions are the following:

            + -- Best Barangay Peace and Order Committee.

            + -- Best Barangay Lupong Tagapamayapa.

            + -- Best Barangay in Quality Legislation.

            + -- Best Barangay Solid Waste Management Practice.

            The two other categories in which the barangay copped second and third place trophies are the following:

            + -- Best Barangay Gender Practices & Responsive Governance - (2nd Place).

            + -- Best Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (3rd Place).

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PRIORITY PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES

(BEST BARANGAY PRACTICES)

FOR THE 3-YEAR PERIOD -- CY-2017-2019

            In addition to the above-mentioned “Best Barangay Practices” which the Barangay Greater Lagro has achieved a measure of excellence and which it continues to improved and excel further, the barangay has, in its current list of priority projects, programs and activities for the three-year period (2017-2019), the following:

            1 -  The COMPUTER-AIDED RECORDS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

            Now on its initial stage of implementation by the barangay, the “Computer-Aided Records Management System” aims not only to improve but also to introduce a new system or ways of managing and storing records/data to ensure security and fast retrieval of documents. 

            The concept of records management, i.e. the organization and storage of documents from creation to disposition, was first introduced when the majority of records were paper based. But with the recent advance in computer technology, the trend has shifted to electronic records management systems. 

            The “Computer-Aided Records Management System”, which was developed in-house by the barangay has been programmed and designed to fit and serve the over-all needs of the barangay.  All records or documents pertaining to the operations of the various barangay departments, units or groups, such as incoming/outgoing communications, financial/acounting transactions, business and personal clearances, LUPON and Barangay Council proceedings/resolutions, etc.  

            The system, which is in its initial stage of implementation, is expected to be fully operational by the middle of 2019 or earlier depending on the volume or amount of records or data/information to be encoded or entered into the system.

            Corollary to all of the above, the system, when fully implemented, would facilitate and provide a much easier, faster and accurate conduct of the inventory and turnover of all barangay properties, financial records, documents (BPFRDs) and money accountabilities by all outgoing barangay officials to their successors in compliance with DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2018-12 dated February 1, 2018.

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            2 -  The BARANGAY SHELTER/RESCUE HOUSE FOR  RESCUED ABANDONED, NEGLECTED OR ABUSED CHILDREN

            One of the on-going priority and most pressing projects of the barangay is the implementation of the construction of a rescue/shelter house for rescued abandoned,  neglected and/or abused children.

            The Sangguniang Barangay of Greater Lagro, in a Resolution (Resolution No. 025-A Series of 2018) it passed on January 22, 2018, designated a vacant open space located between Block 16 Lot 1 and Block 23 Lot 1 along Tatlong Hari Street, Lagro Subdivision within the territorial jurisdiction of the barangay LGU, to house the shelter/rescue facility.

            To be named the “BARANGAY YOUTH CARE FACILITY”, the shelter house will serve as a temporary shelter that is being monitored by the DSWD which will provide short term residential services/care to abandoned, neglected or abused children by their parents or guardians who are rescued by the barangay in consonance with the provisions of Republic Act 9344, otherwise known as the “JUVENILE JUSTICE AND WELFARE ACT”. 

            With the reconstruction/improvement of three existing government buildings/structures within the barangay, namely the Multi-purpose Hall located at the Barangay Centennial Park and the Quezon City Public Library - Lagro Branch and the Greater Lagro Senior Citizens Office (GLASECA) both located inside the Lagro Main Plaza, the barangay was able to retrieve construction materials from the demolished buildings which are still considered worthy and more than enough for the construction of the rescue/shelter facility.

            Corollary to the above, the barangay has asked the cooperation and support of NGOs/POs, private individuals, business establishments and the residents to extend all kinds of assistance in the spirit of the country’s “Bayanihan” tradition towards the early completion of the construction of the project.

            Implementation of the construction of the above facility is scheduled to start this June 2018 and is expected to be completed by year-end.

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+ - EDUCATION, SPORTS

AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

            One of the priority and continuing programs of the barangay LGU under the leadership of Atty. Renato U. Galimba is the promotion of enhanced and greater opportunities or access to education, most specially for the less fortunate members of society who, because of their circumstances in life, could not afford to pursue their college education.  It is for this reason, that the barangay, through the initiative/intercession of Atty. Galimba, turned to the school sector/institutions based based within the barangay for assistance in this endeavor, and for which many have responded favorably and extended a scholarship grants in their respective school to deserving students who are residents of the community.  

            Among the schools institutions which have been providing educational assistance by way of scholarship grants to deserving residents of the barangay include the Our Lady of Fatima University, the AMA Computer Colleges, the St. Augustine School of Nursing, the School of St. Anthony, the Informatics Fairview Campus, and many others.

            In the case of the Our Lady of Fatima University for instance, the school has committed to the barangay through Atty. Renato Galimba, continuing scholarship grants for two (2) deserving students every school year in any course offered in their school which started in SY-2008-2009 during the first of Atty. Galimba’s three consecutive terms as Barangay Chairman up to the present.  During this 10-year period, the scholarship program has successfully produced several graduates in BS Hotel & Restaurant Management, BS Nursing, BS Pharmacy, among other courses.

            In the field of sports and youth development, the barangay has been extending support and assistance by way of providing venues and logistics to various sports groups such as the Taekwondo group of young residents which has reaped honors in both local and national competitions.  Also, the barangay in compliance with its mandate to promote sports and youth development as called for under the Local Government of 1991, has been organizing and conducting sports tournaments through its Task Force on Youth Development (TFYD), particularly basketball, during the summer months, among others.

            Additionally, since Atty. Galimba took over as chief executive of the barangay LGU in December 2007 up to the present, several sports facilities, namely a modern multi-purpose covered basketball/badminton court and a modern open multi-purpose basketball court both located at the Barangay Centennial Park and a “state-of-the-art” tennis court located at the Lagro Main Plaza,

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            + - CLEANLINESS, BEAUTIFICATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT

            1 -  The CONTINUING “CLEAN-UP DRIVE AND BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM”OF BARANGAY GREATER LAGRO              

            The barangay LGU, led by its Barangay Chairman, Atty. Renato U. Galimba, together with the various people’s and non-givernment organizations (POs/NGOs) based in the barangay, launched sometime in May 2012 a continuing community-wide  clean-up drive and beautification program with the premises of Mindanao Avenue, one of the barangay’s main thoroughfares as pilot area.  The activity was also undertaken as part of the barangay and city governments' continuing campaign against the proliferation of the dreaded "Dengue" fever menace.

            More recently, the clean-up drive, which is being conducted on weekends, attracted outside attention and assistance when a team of LDA missionaries, joined barangay personnel and other community volunteers in the conduct of the clean-up drive on several occasions, specifically in cleaning a portion of Mindanao Avenue at the back of the School of Saint Anthony of debris and unsightly “talahib” outgrowth.     

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            2 -  The “OPERATION ABANDONED HOUSES CLEAN-UP DRIVE AND BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM”

            It was sometime in May 2014 that Barangay Greater Lagro launched/started a continuing community-wide  clean-up drive and beautification program dubbed as “Operation Abandoned Houses Clean-up Drive and Beautification Program”.

            The activity is being undertaken by the barangay’s Solid Waste Management Unit, thru the initiative of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Solid Waste Management of the Sagguniang Barangay chaired by Kagawad Crisente Albert B. Pedro.

            The clean-up drive is also being implemented as part of the barangay and city governments' continuing campaign against the proliferation of the dreaded "Dengue" fever menace.

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            3 -  The “OPERATION PRUNING OF TREES” ALONG THE BARANGAY’S MAIN THOROUGHFARES

            Before the onset of the rainy/typhoon season every year and since the first term of Barangay Chariman, Atty. Renato U. Galimba in December 2007, the Local Government of Barangay Greater Lagro has been undertaking the pruning of the trees that line the main and secondary thoroughfares of the barangay.  

            The activity is being undertaken by the barangay, both as part of its continuing clean-up and beautification drive and “Risk Reduction and Mitigation Program” considering that during the past rainy seasons, specially when typhoons would occur, branches of trees along the streets would be broken and fall and more often than not, would result to injury to persons or damage to passing or parked vehicles along the streets.  Moreover, this situation would invariably cause damages to electric and telephone lines and similar public utilities thereby bringing undue inconveniences hardship to the residents in the community.

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            + - The GREATER LAGRO GAZETTE -- THE BARANGAY’S IN-HOUSE PUBLICATION

            The  GREATER LAGRO GAZETTE is a quarterly news-magazine  published by the Local Government of Barangay Greater Lagro, Novaliches, Quezon City.

            As a  community news-magazine engaged in public journalism and anchored on the theme “Fair and Responsible Journalism for Community Progress and Development”, The GAZETTE  is basically a non-profit, non-sectarian undertaking.  Being so, its production/publication is being financed largely out of barangay funds in addition to those that are being sourced out of contributions, donations, grants, endorsements and other forms of assistance from patrons, donors, contributors and other well-meaning friends, individuals and organizations or groups. 

            In the spirit of volunteerism, all officers and staff members, including editors, columnists, correspondents and contributors serve this publication for free.

            The GAZETTE has a myriad of features compiled in its sheets.  At its core. the publication functions as a window that updates stakeholders on the state of barangay affairs.  It contains important announcements and updates on the progress of barangay projects, making it an alternative mechanism for transparency and accountability at the barangay level.  The GAZETTE also serves as an avenue for the expression of the social, moral and personal opinions of residents. 

            Lastly, the GAZETTE exhibits artistry and creativity.  It publishes various literary works including poems, prose and short stories written by contributing residents.  Some of the artworks of the barangay’s resident artists are also printed for public viewing and appreciation.

            Since its maiden issue which came out in June 2008, over four thousand (4,000) copies of the GAZETTE is published every quarter and distributed free of charge to the residents of the barangay, officials/offices of other barangays, business establishments and the various offices/agencies under the Quezon City government. 

            Through the GAZETTE, Barangay Greater Lagro proves how a simple but effective platform like a community newspaper can achieve much to help unify and inform a diverse community.

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            In passing, it may be worth mentioning that the LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF BARANGAY GREATER LAGRO, under the leadership of Barangay Chairman, Atty.  Renato U. Galimba,  has been the recipient of various awards, recognitions and other accolades from both the private and government sectors, most particularly its being adjudged for four (4) consecutive years (2011 to 2014) as CHAMPION in the “BEST BARANGAY PEACE AND ORDER COMMITTEE” category in the annual “Search for Barangay Best Practices” conducted by the Quezon City government.      

            In his capacity as Barangay Chairman and a Civic Leader,  Atty. Renato U. Galimba has been a two-time awardee of the “GAWAD KARINGAL FOR PUBLIC OFFICIAL INDIVIDUAL SPECIAL RECOGNITION” for the Years 2011 and 2013, given by the Quezon City Police District during the QCPD’s 72nd and 74th Founding Anniversary Celebrations, both occasions held at the QCPD Headquarters at Camp Karingal, Diliman, Quezon City.

            During the first year of the City’s search for the winner/s of the “Seal of Good Housekeeping” in 2015, the Local Government of  Barangay Greater Lagro was adjudged Best in Barangay-Based Institution (NIGHT-WATCH - CRIME WATCH) and Barangay Best Practices

            And to top it all, Barangay Greater Lagro has been the proud back-to-back winner in 2016-2017 of the “Seal of Good Housekeeping - GAWAD DANGAL NG LUNGSOD”, the highest level award given by the Quezon City government and the DILG for the best performing barangay in the whole of Quezon City which is composed of 142 barangays.

            This year 2018, expectations are high that Barangay Greater Lagro will again be declared winner of the award that will enshrine the barangay in the rarefied and exclusive “HALL OF FAME”, a distinct honor given only to the barangay LGU that wins the “Seal of Good Housekeeping - GAWAD DANGAL NG LUNGSOD” for three (3) consecutive years.