27/10/2025
KATIG KATBALOGAN SECTARIES:
Strengthening Local Governance Through Empowered Barangay Secretaries
In a significant move to bolster local governance, the DILG Catbalogan formally launched the association of Barangay Secretaries in Catbalogan City. This initiative, which culminated during the observance of Local Government Month, is seen as a strategic step to unify and empower the barangays.
The newly formed association has been aptly named KATIG KATBALOGAN SECRETARIES (KKS). The term "katig" is a Waray-Waray word for the outrigger of a boat. Just as the outrigger provides stability, balance, and support to the vessel, the name symbolizes the crucial and foundational role that Barangay Secretaries play in ensuring the smooth and effective operation of their respective barangays. They are the stabilizing force, the meticulous record-keepers, and often the first point of contact for administrative matters within the community.
As part of the formalization process, the Barangay Secretaries gathered to elect their core set of officers. This leadership will be instrumental in steering the association's activities, coordinating with the DILG and City Hall, and advocating for the needs of its members.
Simultaneously, the members were strategically divided into clusters, with each cluster assigned a dedicated team leader. This organizational strategy is designed to create a more manageable, collaborative, and responsive network.
The DILG Catbaloganโs decision to formalize and structure this association stems from a recognition that the Barangay Secretary is an indispensable pillar of local government. By providing them with a formal, organized platform like KATIG KATBALOGAN SECRETARIES, the Office aims to:
a. Elevate Professionalism: Encourage continuous professional development, ensuring secretaries are equipped with the latest knowledge in local government law, administrative procedures, and digital record-keeping.
b. Foster Unity: Break down isolation among secretaries, building a unified front that can collectively address administrative inconsistencies and challenges across Catbaloganโs barangays.
c. Ensure Stability: Reinforce the position of the secretary as a non-political, stable administrative functionary, ensuring continuity in local governance regardless of changes in barangay leadership.
The establishment of KATIG KATBALOGAN is more than just a ceremonial activity, it is an investment in the administrative backbone of the Barangays. By empowering these "outriggers" of the community, the DILG is laying the groundwork for stronger, more efficient, and more responsive service delivery at the grassroots level.