The Ateneo de Naga University–Center for Local Governance (ADNU–CLG) in coordination with the Graduate School-MPA program conducted a two-day Barangay Participatory Planning and Budgeting Workshop in Barangay Sua, Camaligan, Camarines Sur on October 4–5, 2025. The conduct of the said activity is in line with the Service Learning of the MMPA 214-Planning, Programming, Budgeting and Systems class.
The workshop aimed to strengthen the capacity of local officials and community leaders in Barangay Sua for participatory governance, planning, and budgeting—key components in promoting transparency, inclusivity, and accountability at the barangay level.
The two-day activity began with an opening message delivered by Dr. Malu C. Barcillano, Dean of the Graduate School and Director of the Center for Local Governance (CLG).
Workshop Highlights
Following the opening message of Dr. Barcillano, the program proper commenced with an introductory session facilitated by Camille Faye R. Badong, Technical Staff of the AdNU–CLG. During this session, the participants were guided through a setting of expectations and were oriented on the objectives, flow of activities, and scheduled sessions for both days of the workshop.
The participants were also provided with a brief orientation on the key provisions of the Local Government Code, serving as a foundation for understanding their roles in local development planning and budgeting. Immediately after, Barangay Captain Servando Sta. Ana was invited to deliver his Statement of the Barangay Address (SOBA), highlighting the current state of Barangay Sua, its accomplishments, challenges, and development priorities as the basis for the succeeding planning sessions. After the delivery of the Statement of the Barangay Address (SOBA), Ms. Badong facilitated a Current Reality Dialogue, where participants engaged in an in-depth discussion and workshop on the present condition of Barangay Sua. The session focused on identifying the major trends, recent accomplishments, challenges and obstacles, as well as the barangay’s strengths and advantages.
Through this participatory dialogue, the barangay officials and sectoral representatives were able to reflect on the community’s current state, recognize pressing issues, and appreciate the resources and capacities available within their locality. This exercise provided a solid groundwork for the succeeding sessions that aimed to develop a shared vision and strategic direction for Barangay Sua.
In the afternoon session, Ariel Malate, one of the Technical Staff of the AdNU–CLG, facilitated the discussion on the Shared Practical Vision. The session aimed to help participants articulate a collective vision that reflects their aspirations for the future of Barangay Sua. However, after a collaborative discussion and consensus-building among the participants, the group agreed to retain their previously crafted and updated barangay vision, recognizing that it continues to represent their shared goals and development priorities.
Strategic Direction Workshop started swiftly right after the discussion of the Shared Practical Vision, where the participants were identified key strategies and priority areas that would help realize their shared vision for Barangay Sua. Through guided discussions, they determined the strategic directions and focused interventions necessary to address the challenges and opportunities previously identified during the Current Reality Dialogue.
Moving to the second day of the workshop, the focus shifted from strategic planning to concrete action planning and prioritization. The Annual Investment Prioritization Workshop, facilitated by Maricel Alinarte-Abundo, guided the participants through a series of planning activities, including the formation of planning teams, project and activity identification, programming, planning, and prioritization.
During this session, participants collaboratively identified key projects and programs aligned with their strategic directions and community needs. The process allowed them to determine which initiatives should be prioritized for inclusion in the Barangay’s Annual Investment Plan (AIP), ensuring that available resources would be allocated effectively and equitably across sectors.
In the final session of the Barangay Participatory Planning and Budgeting Workshop, Alex Parrera facilitated a discussion on the Barangay Budgeting Process. He presented and explained the formulas and computations used in barangay budgeting, allowing participants to better understand how their identified projects and programs translate into actual budget allocations.
As the Barangay Participatory Planning and Budgeting Workshop came to a close, Ms. Badong facilitated the Workshop Conclusion, summarizing the key outputs, insights, and commitments gathered throughout the two-day activity.
The workshop formally concluded with closing messages delivered by Dr. Barcillano and Barangay Captain Sta. Ana. Both expressed their gratitude to all participants and partners for their active involvement and collaboration.
Prepared by Ariel N. Malate
