Hon. Brgy Captain Monares together with the Barangay Council during the awarding ceremony.

It’s not every day that a barangay gets to wear the prestigious badge of being a National Passer of the Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangay (SGLGB). For Barangay Bololacao, this achievement is no small feat, and much of their success can be attributed to the steady guidance and capacitation provided by the IPAT-SIAD program.

To qualify for the SGLGB, a barangay needs to meet a host of tough requirements. Think of it as a triathlon: first, you have to ace all three core areas: financial administration and sustainability, disaster preparedness, and safety, peace, and order. Then, to make things a bit more interesting, you must also excel in at least one of the essential areas: social protection and sensitivity, business-friendliness and competitiveness, or environmental management.

When you break it down, this process seems like it’s just about checking boxes. But, as every Barangay Bololacao resident can tell you, it’s much more than that. The SGLGB is not just a certificate on the wall; it’s a true reflection of a barangay’s commitment to good governance, community welfare, and sustainable development. This is where IPAT-SIAD (Integrated Participatory Accountability and Transparency Towards Integrated Area Development Governance) comes in, transforming good intentions into solid, measurable results.

Core Areas: Where IPAT-SIAD Played a Big Role

For financial administration and sustainability, IPAT-SIAD didn’t just drop off a list of things to do and walk away. Instead, they rolled up their sleeves and worked with Bololacao’s leaders, providing a financial literacy program that equipped them with the tools to maintain effective bookkeeping and manage the barangay’s finances sustainably. This program wasn’t just about numbers; it was about building a solid foundation for the future, ensuring that every peso was spent wisely.

In terms of disaster preparedness, you couldn’t ask for better partners than IPAT-SIAD, who worked hand-in-hand with the New Lucena Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO). The partnership facilitated emergency response and first aid training, empowering Bololacao’s residents to act swiftly and confidently in times of need. As one barangay official put it, “It’s like having a first responder in every home. We’re now ready, come what may.”

For safety, peace, and order, IPAT-SIAD’s collaboration with the New Lucena Police Station and the Bureau of Fire Protection brought much-needed training and resources to the barangay. Thanks to these efforts, Bololacao was able to significantly improve its community safety protocols, ensuring that everyone—young or old—felt secure in their own homes. “It’s not just about safety, it’s about building trust,” shared one of the police officers involved in the program. “We’re in this together.”

Essential Areas: Beyond the Core

Now, for the essential areas, Bololacao didn’t just check a box—they excelled, especially in social protection and sensitivity. The IPAT-SIAD program’s greatest gift to the community was its capacity-building initiatives for local organizations. From strengthening the Senior Citizens Organization to establishing the Solo Parents Association, the program created a network of well-organized groups that became active participants in barangay programs.

Perhaps most notably, the revitalization of the Barangay Development Council (BDC) ensured that the local governance process was not just functional but thriving. These organizations helped drive key initiatives, such as the household inventory (HHI), which became a critical part of tracking community needs.

The formation and development of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) also allowed Bololacao to meet the needs of its residents in ways that were both inclusive and effective. By partnering with IPAT-SIAD, these organizations gained the tools, knowledge, and leadership they needed to bring about real change.

A Community Transformed: The Bigger Picture

As the 2023 SGLGB certificate was handed over to Bololacao, it wasn’t just a recognition of their accomplishments—it was a testament to the collective hard work of everyone involved, from barangay officials to community members. But none of this would have been possible without the IPAT-SIAD program.

“Sometimes, it takes a little help to realize just how much you can do,” said one of the BDC members. “IPAT-SIAD didn’t just guide us; they empowered us to take ownership of our community’s future.”

In the end, the SGLGB is more than just a trophy on the shelf. It’s a clear indicator of a barangay that has transformed, from the inside out, into a place where local governance works, where communities thrive, and where people are not just surviving but flourishing.

Bololacao’s journey to becoming a National Passer of the SGLGB is proof that, with the right guidance, training, and partnerships, a small barangay can make a big impact. And for IPAT-SIAD, being part of that success story? Well, that’s a reward all on its own.