Every place or country has its own history – a record of series of events and development from its first existence to the present, so too Barangay Zone II, City of Koronadal, South Cotabato has its valuable history.
The word barangay originally originated from the Malayan word balangay which means boat in which the ten Malayan datus from Borneo headed by Datu Puti with their respective families and followers took in fleeing from the cruel and tyrannic rule of Sultan Makatunaw of Borneo.
The ten datus from Borneo landed in the island of Panay, an island in the Philippines. Datu Puti bought the island from the natives for a salakot made of gold.
The ten datus with their respective families and followers settled in the different parts of the island of Panay and other islands in the Visayas and far North in the island of Luzon forming different communities called balangay named after the boats with their respective rules and laws base on their customs and traditions thus begun the local governance. The Datu being the head of each balangay exercised the legislative, executive and the judicial powers.
During the Spanish time, the balangay as the basic unit of government was changed to the word barrio. Several barrios constitute a town. The word was used until the pursuant to Presidential Decrees No. 557 otherwise known as citizen assemblies pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 86 in 1982 when the barrio was changed to barangay on January 16 1973 during the time of Ex-Mayor Gerardo T. Calaliman, the town Mayor of Koronadal, South Cotabato. The town Koronadal was divided into four zones- Zone I, Zone II, Zone III, Zone IV; each has its own Zone Chairman or Barangay Captain. It was on this day that Zone II as a barangay was founded.
Mr. Ireneo Osita was then appointed as the first Barangay Chairman of Zone II, Koronadal City, South Cotabato. He as chairman appointed six (6) councilmen. Mr. Isaias Recla was one of the appointed councilmen and at the same time and at the same time acted as the barangay secretary.
Barangay Zone II, City of Koronadal is situated in the heart of the City of Koronadal, Province of South Cotabato. It is bounded in the south by the National Road. The General Santos Drive in the west by Alunan Avenue in the east by Barangay Sto. Niño (Bo. 2) and in the north by Antipolo Street. Its total land area is seventy-seven hectares, mostly residential and commercial areas. Its agricultural area is only 5 hectares which only compromise 6.7% of the total land area.
The first barangay election was held on May 17, 1982. It was in this election that the first barangay chairman or barangay captain together with the six (6) councilmen, Kabataang Barangay (KB) Chairman and also six (6) SK councilors were elected. The Barangay Chairman appointed the barangay secretary and the barangay treasurer.
The first elected officials of Zone II City of Koronadal, South Cotabato.
Barangay Captain Ireneo S. Osita
Barangay Councilmen Morito P. Carisma
Nicanor P. Bangoc
Isaias C. Recla
Reynaldo D. Morales
Zosimo P. Pendilla
Rodolfo Generoso
Barangay Secretary Pilar P. Sanz
Barangay Treasurer Adelfa R. Buenavidez
Kabataang Barangay Chairman Mario S. Sorongon
Barangay Zone II is considered as the commercial center of the City of Koronadal since it is where many commercial establishments and banks are located. The City Hall of the City of Koronadal is located at Barangay Zone II. With the total 77 hectares land area of Barangay Zone II, 30 hectares is utilized for commercial purpose and 40 hectares for residential and the next 5 hectares for industrial and only 5 hectares for agriculture.
Barangay Zone II began enjoying the 10% share from the City of Koronadal since 1993. This amount is taken from the city fund RPT.
This share of the Barangay is used for road maintenance and other projects that the Barangay may have for the benefit of the whole Barangay officials and personnels.
Our country, the Philippines is adopting a democratic system of government thus the Barangay Zone II likewise adopts the same.
General assemblies and meetings are often called for the purpose of consultation and for reporting of whatever projects or problems that may arise or had been accomplished for the benefit of all majority of its constituents.
Regular sessions and sometimes special sessions are called for by the Barangay captain together with the other members of the council to discuss and legislate resolutions and/or ordinances that could be of great benefit to the constituents. Council meetings or sessions are conducted in the democratic way such that each member is heard and the rule of the majority is always followed.
The Barangay government of Zone II exercises the legislative, executive, and the judicial powers and functions. The legislative power is generally vested on the Barangay council composed of the seven Barangay councilmen or Barangay kagawads and the Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman as the Ex-Officio member with the Barangay captain as the presiding officer. The executive function primarily is vested on the Barangay captain.
For petty problems or disputes among the Barangay constituents, the Barangay captain often facilities the amicable settlement or disputes at the Barangay level. However, if the Barangay captain is pre-occupied or attending some important official business, he may delegate this function to the Barangay kagawads.
The Lupong Tagapamayapa composed of 20 members is also organized by the Barangay captain immediately after his election to settle or facilitate amicable settlement on minor disputes at the Barangay level. Its intention is to promote the speedy administration of justice and to relieve the courts and prosecution office of the congestion concealable cases. This is in pursuant to sec. 421 of chapter 7, Title one, Book III of Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 approved on October 10, 1991 entitled “Katarungang Pambarangay”.
This set of Barangay justice members are known as the Lupon Tagapamayapa.
Barangay Zone II as a basic unit of government enters and exercises the executive, legislative, and judicial powers and the same time is also the implementing arm of the City of Koronadal and national government to implement laws, executive orders and ordinances.
While Barangay Zone II exercises the civil rights it has also obligations – thus it extends also other services as health, security, cultural social and hygiene service. Barangay Zone II put up a health center manned by a midwife and three (3) Barangay Health Workers and a Barangay Nutrition Scholar. All the health workers cater the basic medical needs of the Barangay constituents.
As to its social and cultural obligations, Barangay Zone II holds social and cultural activities that will promote the comrade and socialization and to develop self-confidence among the constituents.
Armed with a common vision and with the whole support of the City of Koronadal and South Cotabato Provincial Officials, Barangay Zone II through the inspiring leadership of the Barangay Council continues to curve and mold its own place in history. It will soon emerge as one of the best Barangay not only in the City of Koronadal but also in the whole Province of South Cotabato if not the whole country.
