DILG Bataan opened this year’s Umalohokan series with Episode 10, featuring the “Writeshop on Barangay Citizen’s Charter and ARTA Compliance Essentials” held via Zoom on April 22, 2025. The activity aimed to strengthen grassroots governance through transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment, and was attended by C/MLGOOs, Punong Barangays, Barangay Secretaries, Treasurers, and other officials.
PD Belina T. Herman, CESO V, set the tone by underscoring the significance of the Citizen’s Charter in simplifying government processes, improving frontline service delivery, and fostering public trust. She reminded barangay leaders that compliance is not merely a requirement, but a commitment to the people they serve.
Resource speaker CTL/LGOO VII Cristy M. Blanco provided a comprehensive discussion of the guidelines and legal bases, including Section 6 of RA 11032, ARTA Memorandum Circular No. 2019-002, and the latest ARTA Advisory No. 2025-009. She also guided participants through ready-to-use templates and reference tools to guide their respective submissions.
The writeshop format allowed real-time clarification and sharing during the open forum. Participants were given assistance to help them align with ARTA requirements while also contextualizing reforms within the realities of barangay governance.
As the session closed, OIC-PM/LGOO V Mark Angelo T. Pumares emphasized that through this initiative, barangays are empowered to embody the essence of public service: “Maayos, malinaw, at may kalakip na pagmamalasakit.”
Through initiatives like Umalohokan, DILG Bataan continues to champion inclusive, informed, and responsive leadership in every barangay—one policy, one reform, and one empowered official at a time.