Empowerment begins when communities take charge of their own future. This came alive during the two-day Barangay Participatory Planning and Budgeting Workshop conducted by the Master in Public Administration (MPA) Program of Ateneo de Naga University (AdNU) in coordination with the AdNU-Center for Local Governance (AdNU-CLG) on 11–12 October 2025. The event was held simultaneously in Barangay Dugcal (Group 1) and Barangay San Jose–San Pablo (Group 2) in Camaligan, Camarines Sur, bringing together barangay development councils, Sangguniang Kabataan members, sectoral representatives and other members of the community in a shared mission of good governance and participatory development.
The first day opened with a plenary where participants shared their hopes, excitement, and fears regarding the two-day engagement. The facilitators then presented the workshop objectives, processes, schedules, approaches, and foundational values, to emphasize the role of participatory planning in responsive governance.
Following a brief break, participants were oriented on Local Governance, providing them with a solid understanding of the structures and functions that shape barangay administration. This was followed by a Current Reality Dialogue and Assessment, where participants analyzed their community’s major trends, recent accomplishments, challenges and obstacles, and strengths and advantages. This assessment gave them a clearer view of where their barangay stands today which was an essential step toward planning for a better tomorrow.
In the afternoon, the participants engaged in the Shared Practical Vision and Strategic Directions Workshops. They reviewed their existing barangay vision and, through collective consensus, decided to maintain it as their guiding statement. In the strategic directions activity, they brainstormed individually, then collaborated in groups to identify and cluster the most promising ideas into focused development strategies.
The second day began with a recapitulation of the previous day’s discussions, followed by the Annual Investment Planning and Prioritization Workshop. Building on the identified strategies, participants selected areas they wished to focus on and grouped themselves accordingly. Each group identified specific programs, projects, and activities (PPAs) to be implemented over a three-year period and presented their outputs to the plenary.
The participants then completed their Program/Project/Activity Plan, followed by another reporting session. To determine priority initiatives for funding, each participant voted three times for projects and activities they deemed most essential for inclusion in the 20% Barangay Development Fund (BDF) allocation. The votes were tallied and ranked, resulting in a prioritized list of development projects.
The facilitators conducted an orientation on the Barangay Budgeting System, including budget forecasting and consolidation in the afternoon. They discussed the key elements and components of barangay budgeting, introduced budget templates, and guided participants through the budgeting process. The current budget circulars and the National Tax Allotment (NTA) estimate from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) were also presented to provide realistic financial references.
As a highlight of the workshop, the barangay captains signed the resolution adopting the outputs of the Barangay Participatory Planning and Budgeting Workshop as an expression of their commitment to carry out the identified programs, projects, and activities and include them in their barangay development and investment plans.
The workshop concluded with the “Balitang Barangay” activity, where participants shared what they learned from the workshop, identified whom they would share it with, and where they intended to display their posters summarizing their insights.
The barangay captains of Dugcal, Hon. Rodelio A. Punzalan, Jr. and San Jose–San Pablo, Hon. Jose O. Agomaa delivered their messages of gratitude and commitment to participatory governance. Dr. Malu Barcillano, Director of AdNU-Center for Local Governance and Dean of the AdNU Graduate School, also shared her message, commending the participants’ active engagement and emphasizing the significance of collaboration between academic institutions and local governments.
Bringing this meaningful workshop to fruition was made possible through the constant support of the Ateneo de Naga University Center for Local Governance (AdNU-CLG), headed by Dr. Malu C. Barcillano and her team, Camille Faye R. Badong, Ariel N. Malate and Mitch Morales; dedication and teamwork of the MPA facilitators: Generose A. Andes, Charlie O. Cano, Ma. Agnes M. Serillano, Shiloh Jahzeel R. Abad, Nicolette Princesa Lanuza and Sebastian Ebio, Jr., for barangay Dugcal, and Champagne Carpio, Ma. Kyla A. Magayanes, Jean Jeanette Alano, Junie Grace M.Casasis, Mary Angelie G.Alfigura, Krizia Lance R. Patag, and Rosalina Esme A. Acabado for barangay San Jose-San Pablo and the active participation of both BLGU Dugcal and San Jose-San Pablo. Together, they transformed the workshop into a journey of empowerment, collaboration, and shared vision for sustainable community development.
By: Charlie O. Cano
Graduate School Student
AdNU-Master in Public Administration Program
