The Basic Information About the Barangay

What is a Barangay? A barangay is the basic political unit which serves as the primary planning and implementing unit of government policies, plans, programs, projects and activities in the community, and as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicable settled. (Sec. 384)

What Law Governing the Barangay? The Local government Code of 1991 (RA 7160) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations referred to in this Primer as the Code and the Rules respectively.

What is the Scope of the LG Code and the Rules? The Code and the Rules apply to all Local Government Units and other political subdivisions as may be created by law and to the extent herein provided, to officials, offices, or agencies of the national government. In the case of the LGUs of autonomous regions the Code shall also apply until such time as the regional government concerned shall have enacted their own Local Government Code.

How is a barangay created? A barangay may be created, divided, merged, abolished or its boundary substantially altered, by law or by an ordinance of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, or Panlungsod, subject to approval by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite to be conducted by the COMELEC. In case of the creation of barangays by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, the recommendation o the Sangguniang Bayan concerned shall be necessary Notwithstanding the population requirement, a barangay may be created in the indigenous cultural communities by Act of Congress upon recommendation of the LGUs concerned where the cultural community is located. (Sec 385)

Requisites for creation of Barangays (Sec. 386)

1. That the territory to be created should be contiguous or physically in contact with each other. However, if the territory is composed of two or more islands, they do not have to be contiguous.
2. That the territory has a population of at least 2,000 inhabitants except the municipalities and cities within Metro Manila area and other metropolitan political subdivisions or in highly urbanized cities where such territory shall have a population of at least 5,000 inhabitants. Such population shall be duly certified by the National Statistics Office (NSO).
3. That the creation of a new barangay shall not reduce the population of the mother barangay to less than the minimum requirement.
4. That the territorial jurisdiction of the new barangay shall be properly identified by metes and bounds or by natural boundaries.

This article is based from Barangay Primer (second edition).