Leading the Way

Marcelo Green Barangay Captain Christopher Aguilar was certain early on in his life that he wanted to be in public service. The former student council president began to serve his community as Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) Chairman from 1996 until 2002.

“When I was with SK, I recall seeing students who had to endure long walks just to get to their schools in other barangays,” the Parañaque-based leader remembers. “That is why during my first term in office, one of my priorities was to to build a school in Barangay Marcelo Green.” Through the help of the barangay council, they were able to buy the land. They then applied for a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines for purchase of land so that it can be endorsed to the LGU for construction. “Our IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) from the national government helps us pay for our amortization.”

Construction of the school building was a project of Parañaque Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez. The school is now operational for grade school and high school students. “Now, they no longer have to take long walks,” he says. “And we even offer free shuttle services to bring the children to school.”

LEADING A DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY
As his dream establishment for his constituents rose, Aguilar also pursued a more demanding role in the barangay. Aside from being barangay captain, he was also elected President of Liga ng mga Barangays in the city in 2016. The group is under the Liga ng mga Barangay ng Pilipinas, an umbrella organization of barangay leaders in the country.

In this capacity, Aguilar heads all barangay captains in 16 areas in Parañaque. The post affords him an ex-officio seat in the city council, where he is able to take part in drafting and shaping legislation for the city.

A major accomplishment the San Beda College alumnus is proud of is how the Liga’s actions have supported the Duterte administration’s Oplan Tokhang (war on drugs) operations. In a speech delivered at the City Hall Grounds earlier this year, he shared that he believes the campaign is effective in curbing illegal drug operations in the city. To further support the national drug policy, Aguilar discussed an ordinance passed to the city council that aims to promote a drug-free workplace in the barangay. “It will mandate all barangay officials and employees to be subjected to random drug-testing twice a year,” he explains,

"We have motorcycle riding units in the West Service Road to allow our officials to patrol the area. More importantly, it will allow them to be able to assist should there be any accidents. We always work with the PNP personnel. Our tanods are always instructed to respond to incidents with a police officer." While also underscoring the importance of having good working relations with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Aguilar is also known to be active in implementing MASA MASID (Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Ilegal na Droga), a communitybased program for the prevention of illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality in barangays. The initiative of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was launched last September 2016 and seeks to bring communities together against illegal drugs.

MASA MASID is pillared under four areas, according to the DILG official page: information and education campaign in communities for government programs against corruption, illegal drugs and criminality; creation of a reporting mechanism on illegal drugs-related activities; formulation of community-based rehabilitation programs; and revival of the spirit of volunteerism by creating a volunteer-friendly atmosphere for organizations that wish to be partners for change.

“In our barangay, we have a moral recovery program for drug returnees every weekend for a period of 12 weeks,” he shares. “We encourage them not to use drugs anymore. We provide livelihood programs and training for food processing, reflexology, candle-making, and the like.” The moral recovery program for drug returnees is in coordination with church organizations within the barangay.

SAFETY FIRST
Maintaining peace and order is also aligned to Aguilar’s goal of providing a safe community for his constituents. To date, his office has professionalized the barangay tanods (officers) by providing them with the proper equipment. “They have uniforms, they have name labels to make them identifiable,” he reports. “We give them self-defense training and ensure that we deploy vehicles for their peace and order functions.

“We also have motorcycle riding units in the West Service Road to allow our officials to patrol the area. More importantly, it will allow them to assist should there be any accidents. We always work with the PNP personnel. Our tanods are always instructed to respond to incidents with a police officer. This way, in case it is a police matter, they are already there. And if it’s a barangay matter, our officials are also present,” the Barangay Captain elaborates. Marcelo Green also has closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in strategic locations to enable their team to respond to any incident immediately. Aside from CCTV, electrical lamp posts and solar lights were installed in major thoroughfares, parks, and other key sites in the barangay.

The Barangay is fully equipped to serve its constituents with an accesible Barangay Hall, Health Center, Lying-in Center, joint Tanod and PNP Headquarters, Senior Citizens Center, Livelihood Center, ongoing development of Ecopark, Rescue Vehicles, ambulance, firetruck, and dump truck.

In his role as an ex-officio member of the Parañaque City Council, Aguilar was instrumental is passing an ordinance that provides free legal assistance to barangay officers, barangay tanods, and members of the police force.

“We want to be able to support them in case they face legal problems stemming from their official functions,” Aguilar, who previously worked with petrol corporation Chevron Philippines, Inc., says. “I consider it one of my major accomplishments as a member of the council.”

EFFICIENT AND BUSINESS-FRIENDLY
Aguilar shared several ordinances that have been passed in the council in different areas. “We have formed the Business One-Stop Shop to enable our citizens to have easier transactions in our city,” says Aguilar who has worked with multinational companies and is now a successful entrepreneur. Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) is not a City Ordinance; it is a directive of President Duterte and is fully supported by the 16 barangays. “Parañaque has been awarded as one of the most business friendly cities in the metro and we aim to also provide that ease to our citizens.”

Other ordinances that Aguilar reported are the proposed establishment of a Bikeway Department under the Traffic Management Office, a local Juvenile Intervention Plan of Parañaque City, and the creation of a Parañaque City Green Card and Hospitalization and Health Care Benefit. “It has also been an honor to have worked with Councilor Roselle Nava-Tan, my co-sponsor, in the ordinance that provides help to our indigent constituents who have breast cancer,” he mentions during the speech. The said ordinance is in support to one of the advocacies of Parañaque First Lady Janet A. Olivarez.

Aguilar also supports plans for a milk-feeding program for daycare center students and a dedicated medical desk for check-ups of persons arrested. “We have accomplished a lot because of the support and help of the members of the council,” he adds.

The public servant is also focused on a third straight term in his barangay. “I have no plans of running for higher office yet because it’s been very fulfilling to be a barangay captain. We have programs that we still want to implement.

“When you do good to others, the world will be good to you. Public service is a way for me to do good for the community. It is really a passion that allows you to help others and create projects that become your legacy”.Marcelo Green Barangay Captain Christopher Aguilar was certain early on in his life that he wanted to be in public service. The former student council president began to serve his community as Sanggunian Kabataan (SK) Chairman from 1996 until 2002.

“When I was with SK, I recall seeing students who had to endure long walks just to get to their schools in other barangays,” the Parañaque-based leader remembers. “That is why during my first term in office, one of my priorities was to to build a school in Barangay Marcelo Green.” Through the help of the barangay council, they were able to buy the land. They then applied for a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines for purchase of land so that it can be endorsed to the LGU for construction. “Our IRA (Internal Revenue Allotment) from the national government helps us pay for our amortization.”

Construction of the school building was a project of Parañaque Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez. The school is now operational for grade school and high school students. “Now, they no longer have to take long walks,” he says. “And we even offer free shuttle services to bring the children to school.”


LEADING A DRUG-FREE COMMUNITY
As his dream establishment for his constituents rose, Aguilar also pursued a more demanding role in the barangay. Aside from being barangay captain, he was also elected President of Liga ng mga Barangays in the city in 2016. The group is under the Liga ng mga Barangay ng Pilipinas, an umbrella organization of barangay leaders in the country.

In this capacity, Aguilar heads all barangay captains in 16 areas in Parañaque. The post affords him an ex-officio seat in the city council, where he is able to take part in drafting and shaping legislation for the city.

A major accomplishment the San Beda College alumnus is proud of is how the Liga’s actions have supported the Duterte administration’s Oplan Tokhang (war on drugs) operations. In a speech delivered at the City Hall Grounds earlier this year, he shared that he believes the campaign is effective in curbing illegal drug operations in the city. To further support the national drug policy, Aguilar discussed an ordinance passed to the city council that aims to promote a drug-free workplace in the barangay. “It will mandate all barangay officials and employees to be subjected to random drug-testing twice a year,” he explains,

"We have motorcycle riding units in the West Service Road to allow our officials to patrol the area. More importantly, it will allow them to be able to assist should there be any accidents. We always work with the PNP personnel. Our tanods are always instructed to respond to incidents with a police officer." While also underscoring the importance of having good working relations with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Aguilar is also known to be active in implementing MASA MASID (Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw sa Ilegal na Droga), a community based program for the prevention of illegal drugs, corruption, and criminality in barangays. The initiative of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) was launched last September 2016 and seeks to bring communities together against illegal drugs.

MASA MASID is pillared under four areas, according to the DILG official page: information and education campaign in communities for government programs against corruption, illegal drugs and criminality; creation of a reporting mechanism on illegal drugs-related activities; formulation of community-based rehabilitation programs; and revival of the spirit of volunteerism by creating a volunteer-friendly atmosphere for organizations that wish to be partners for change.

“In our barangay, we have a moral recovery program for drug returnees every weekend for a period of 12 weeks,” he shares. “We encourage them not to use drugs anymore. We provide livelihood programs and training for food processing, reflexology, candle-making, and the like.” The moral recovery program for drug returnees is in coordination with church organizations within the barangay.

SAFETY FIRST
Maintaining peace and order is also aligned to Aguilar’s goal of providing a safe community for his constituents. To date, his office has professionalized the barangay tanods (officers) by providing them with the proper equipment. “They have uniforms, they have name labels to make them identifiable,” he reports. “We give them self-defense training and ensure that we deploy vehicles for their peace and order functions.

“We also have motorcycle riding units in the West Service Road to allow our officials to patrol the area. More importantly, it will allow them to assist should there be any accidents. We always work with the PNP personnel. Our tanods are always instructed to respond to incidents with a police officer. This way, in case it is a police matter, they are already there. And if it’s a barangay matter, our officials are also present,” the Barangay Captain elaborates. Marcelo Green also has closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in strategic locations to enable their team to respond to any incident immediately. Aside from CCTV, electrical lamp posts and solar lights were installed in major thoroughfares, parks, and other key sites in the barangay.

The Barangay is fully equipped to serve its constituents with an accesible Barangay Hall, Health Center, Lying-in Center, joint Tanod and PNP Headquarters, Senior Citizens Center, Livelihood Center, ongoing development of Ecopark, Rescue Vehicles, ambulance, firetruck, and dump truck.

In his role as an ex-officio member of the Parañaque City Council, Aguilar was instrumental is passing an ordinance that provides free legal assistance to barangay officers, barangay tanods, and members of the police force.

“We want to be able to support them in case they face legal problems stemming from their official functions,” Aguilar, who previously worked with petrol corporation Chevron Philippines, Inc., says. “I consider it one of my major accomplishments as a member of the council.”

EFFICIENT AND BUSINESS-FRIENDLY
Aguilar shared several ordinances that have been passed in the council in different areas. “We have formed the Business One-Stop Shop to enable our citizens to have easier transactions in our city,” says Aguilar who has worked with multinational companies and is now a successful entrepreneur. Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) is not a City Ordinance; it is a directive of President Duterte and is fully supported by the 16 barangays. “Parañaque has been awarded as one of the most business friendly cities in the metro and we aim to also provide that ease to our citizens.”

Other ordinances that Aguilar reported are the proposed establishment of a Bikeway Department under the Traffic Management Office, a local Juvenile Intervention Plan of Parañaque City, and the creation of a Parañaque City Green Card and Hospitalization and Health Care Benefit. “It has also been an honor to have worked with Councilor Roselle Nava-Tan, my co-sponsor, in the ordinance that provides help to our indigent constituents who have breast cancer,” he mentions during the speech. The said ordinance is in support to one of the advocacies of Parañaque First Lady Janet A. Olivarez.

Aguilar also supports plans for a milk-feeding program for daycare center students and a dedicated medical desk for check-ups of persons arrested. “We have accomplished a lot because of the support and help of the members of the council,” he adds.

The public servant is also focused on a third straight term in his barangay. “I have no plans of running for higher office yet because it’s been very fulfilling to be a barangay captain. We have programs that we still want to implement.

“When you do good to others, the world will be good to you. Public service is a way for me to do good for the community. It is really a passion that allows you to help others and create projects that become your legacy”.