THE Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas has expressed its “1,001 percent” backing of the vice presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who, in turn, recognized the unselfish and “buwis-buhay” efforts of barangay workers in the country all throughout the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Duterte, chairperson of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), served as the guest of honor during the 3rd general membership assembly of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas Saturday, March 5, at the SMX Convention in Pasay City.

Liga President Eden Chua Pineda introduced Duterte to the attendees as the “incoming vice president” of the country.

“We are grateful and thankful na binigyan po tayo ng pagkakataon at panahon para magkaisa po tayo dito… Rest assured, our 1,001 (percent) full support sa kandidatura niya. We are always here, behind you, supporting you, because we know for a fact na ‘yung puso mo ay nasa barangay,” Pineda said of Duterte.

“Mga kababayan ko, mga kapatid ko sa barangay, ang piliin po natin ay ‘yung puso nasa barangay and there’s no doubt that our vice president Inday Sara is with us, all the way,” Pineda added.

In her speech at the event, the presidential daughter highlighted the vital role that barangays willingly took up during the past two years amid the raging health crisis.

“While we continue to face the challenges that this current pandemic has brought to our respective localities, we recognize the importance of our barangays as one of the primary implementing units in ensuring the continuity of effective service delivery of our government to our communities,” Duterte said.

“Alam niyo po noong 2020 nagsimula po ‘yung pandemic, ang naging sandigan po ng opisina ko, Office of the City Mayor doon sa Davao City ay ang aming mga barangay officials. Dahil sila po ‘yung naging kamay at paa namin sa pag-implement po ng lahat ng COVID-19 regulations doon,” Duterte recounted.

“At I am very proud to say sa aming mga barangay captains doon sa Davao City na kahit po limitado ang resources, kahit po kulang ang budget ay gumalaw pa rin sila at ginawa nila ang lahat ng puwede nilang gawin para tumulong sa COVID-19 response ng aming siyudad. And I would assume na ganyan din sa buong Pilipinas,” Duterte further said.

Duterte thanked the barangay officials and volunteers for their efforts in effecting the national government’s COVID-19 response.

“I cannot overemphasize the importance of barangays. Ako po ay nanalong vice mayor ng Davao noong 2007. Ang hallmark project ko po doon sa opisina na ‘yun ay pinangalanang Inday Para sa Barangay,” she said.

Alluding to the huge risks that barangay workers had to deal with amid the pandemic, Pineda said, “Sad to say, with this COVID, mayroon pong namatay in line of duty – mga kapitan, mga kagawad, mga treasurer – lahat na po ng nag-silbi dito sa COVID-19.”

“But yet here we are, nandito po tayo, nagpapakita stronger together as member of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas,” Pineda added.

Duterte told the Liga that “by strengthening the resilience of your respective constituents in this pandemic, you will ensure positive outcomes of the plans, programs and initiatives of your barangays.”