Barangays Composing Parañaque
1st District Baclaran Tambo Dongalo Sto. Niño La Huerta San Dionisio San Isidro Vitalez	2nd District San Antonio B.F. Homes Sun Valley Marcelo Green Don Bosco Merville San Martin   de Porres Moonwalk

The Barangay Defined
Being the local version of the western township concept to a certain extent, the Barangay discharges three seminal functions: (a) as a basic political unit, or as the smallest political entity used for governance in the Philippines, (b) as a primary planning and implementing unit wherein it is mandated to plan development projects in its territory and to deliver certain basic services of the government to its people, and (c) as a forum wherein the collective views of the people may be expressed, crystallized and considered, and where disputes may be amicably settled. It is likewise empowered to pass certain legislations as defined by law, which legislations require the recommendation of the City Council and the approval of the City Mayor. Before implementation, programs and activities to be pursued by the Barangay's administration are initially presented to an assembly composed of actual residents of the township who have been duly registered as such, which assembly is called for at least twice a year. The Barangay government also enjoys certain quasi-judicial powers through their function as a local "court of first instance" wherein local and minor disputes are taken up for the possibility of settlement outside actual court action

Manner of Creation
A Barangay may be created, divided, merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered, by law or by an ordinance of the City Council, subject to approval by a majority of votes cast in a plebiscite to be conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) among its constituents within such period of time as may be determined by law or ordinance covering its creation.

Barangay Officials and Offices
Each barangay has its own respective Chairman and Barangay Council composed of seven (7) members called kagawads who are all duly-elected by their constituents. Membership status is likewise afforded the Chairman of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or youth council which is also duly-elected but only by the barangay's youth sector. The required offices of barangay secretary and barangay treasurer are appointive ones, the appointment thereof being part of the powers of the Barangay Chairman in concurrence with the Barangay Council. Every barangay is also required to have its lupong tagapamayapa or peace and order council, through which office may be formed community brigades, usually supervised by an appointed "Executive Officer," and such other positions or offices as may be deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the barangay government in accordance with the needs of public service, subject to the limitations prescribed by the Local Government Code.

The Barangay Chairman
To a lesser extent, the Barangay Chairman is the equivalent of the City Mayor as chief executive of his barangay; due to this capacity, the Chairman is often referred to by his constutuents as Kapitan, an allusion inherited from the concept of barrio captains during the Spanish era. Among the more important powers attached to the Chairman's office by the Local Government Code are the (a) enforcement of laws relative to pollution control and protection of the environment; (b) administration of barangay justice or Katarungang Pambarangay; and (c) holding of annual sports tournaments in coordination with the national government's Department of Education, Culture and Sports. His power to appoint barangay officials, however, is still subject to the confirmation of majority of the Barangay Council's members. He also serves as the Presiding Officer during official sessions of the said council.

The Sangguniang Barangay (Barangay Council)
Among the more noteworthy of the Barangay Council's powers are: (a) to enact tax and other revenue measures authorized by the Local Government Code; (b) to regulate and charge fees for the use of barangay facilities, including parking areas, markets, multipurpose halls and the like; (c) to assist in the establishment of cooperatives to improve the economic well-being of the barangay residents; (d) to provide compensation, alowances, per diems, and travel expenses for barangay officials subject to the limitations provided for in the same Code; (e) to authorize direct purchases by the barangay treasurer of not more than 1,000 Pesos (US$20) worth of items at any one time that are ordinary and essentially needed by the barangay; (f) to prescribe fines of not more than P1000 (US$20) for violations of barangay ordinances; (g) to adopt measures to combat drug abuse, child abuse, and juvenile delinquency; (h) to provide for the establishment of non-formal education centers; and (i) to provide for the delivery of basic services. Furthermore, members of the Barangay Council may assist the Chairman in the discharge of his duties and functions, act as peace officers in the maintenance of public order and safety, and perform such other duties and functions as the Chairman may delegate.

The Barangay Secretary
The Barangay Secretary is appointed by the Barangay Chairman with the concurrence of the majority of all the Barangay Council members. He is mandated to (a) keep custody of all records of the Barangay Council and Barangay assembly meetings; (b) prepare and keep the minutes of all meetings of the same council and relevant assemblies; (c) prepare a list of members of the said assemblies, and have the same posted in conspicuous places within the barangay; (d) assist in the preparation of all necessary forms for the conduct of barangay elections, initiatives, referenda or plebiscites, in coordination with the Comelec; (e) assist the civil registrar in the registration of births, deaths, and marriages; (f) keep an updated record of all inhabitants of the barangay containing such information as name, address, place and date of birth, sex, civil status, citizenship, occupation, and other information as prescribed by law; (g) submit a report on the actual number of barangay residents as often as may be required by the Barangay Council; and (h) exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.

The Barangay Treasurer
Just like the Secretary, the Barangay Treasurer is appointed by the Barangay Chairman with the concurrence of the majority of all the Barangay Council members. He is expected to (a) keep custody of barangay funds and properties; (b) collect and issue official receipts related to those official transactions as provided by law; (c) disburse funds in accordance with financial procedures provided in the Local Government Code; (d) submit to the Barangay Chairman a statement covering income and expenditures for each fiscal year; (e) render a written accounting report of all barangay funds and property under his custody at the end of each calendar year, and ensure that such report shall be made available to the members of the barangay assembly and other government agencies concerned; (f) certify the availability of funds whenever necessary; and (g) exercise such powers and perform other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law.

The Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council)
Each barangay has a Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) or Youth Council which implements programs and projects to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and physical development of the Barangay's youth sector. Its members are duly elected by an assembly composed of representatives from the said sector and the council's Chairman serves as an ex-officio member of the Barangay Council, wielding the same powers, discharging the same functions and duties, and enjoying the same privileges as a regular kagawad. He is also the chair of the committee on youth and sports development in the said Council. The SK also has its own Secretary and Treasurer with functions similar to those of their senior counterparts. Such participation of the youth in government has been acclaimed the world over as a first in local government administration, a tribute that Filipinos have invested upon the future leadership of the nation.

Main Reference: Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr., THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991 - The Key To National Development, Cacho Publishing House, Inc., 1993

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