CATBALOGAN CITY (September 29, 2025) — A total of 56 barangays in Catbalogan City have been recognized as Highly Functional Barangay Peace and Order Committees (BPOCs) under the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays (SGLGB), the Barangay and Community Affairs Office (BCAO) announced.
The recognition was based on the BPOC Functionality Assessment, a performance evaluation under the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) SGLGB program. Only one of the city’s 57 barangays did not qualify for the recognition.
“This milestone is a testament to the dedication of Catbalogan’s barangay leaders and their BPOCs in maintaining peace, order, and public safety in their communities,” the BCAO said in a statement.
Catbalogan City Mayor Dexter Uy also extended his congratulations to the barangays in a message posted on his official social media page on September 28.
“Congratulations to our 56 barangays recognized as Highly Functional BPOCs. Your hard work, vigilance, and commitment to a safe and peaceful Catbalogan truly inspire,” Mayor Uy wrote.
“Let us continue to uphold the values of good governance and community cooperation.”
The SGLGB, launched by the DILG in 2020, is a performance recognition and incentive program that evaluates barangays across key areas of local governance, including peace and order, financial administration, disaster preparedness, and social protection. It seeks to promote accountability, transparency, and service delivery at the grassroots level.
The BPOC Functionality Assessment specifically measures how barangays organize and manage their peace and order initiatives. Criteria include the regular conduct of committee meetings, the formulation and implementation of Peace and Order and Public Safety (POPS) plans, coordination with law enforcement agencies, and the involvement of community stakeholders.
Highly functional BPOCs contribute to a national database of Barangay-Based Institutions (BBIs), which informs DILG policies, programs, and recognition systems for local governments across the country.
The City Government of Catbalogan, through the BCAO, lauded barangay officials and BPOC members for their role in promoting inclusive governance and community resilience.
“We recognize the unwavering commitment of our barangay leaders to building safer, stronger, and more united communities,” the BCAO added.
(By Ricky Bautista)