Updates soon!

Greetings, my apologies for not posting updates on the blog for sometime now. As I have been preoccupied with my other pursuits (yes, I have other interests aside from politics, common laws and the likes.) Please bear with me.

I will be posting updates on Barangay Sto. Cristo's activites these months past since my last post. These include the successful staging of Brgy. Sto. Cristo's Foundation Day celebrations now dubbed "Araw ng Pagkilala sa Barangay Sto. Cristo" as well as other activites held in our barangay.

Salamat po

Two Barangay Resolutions adopted today

April 2, 2009

Two Resolutions have been officially adopted today during the regular session of the Barangay Sto. Cristo Council. In recognition for the need to organize the barangay's firefighting and prevention measures, the council has unanimously adopted a resolution "Creating the Barangay Sto. Cristo Volunteer Fire Brigade". The Resolution, authored by Kgd.Ubales aims to develop the trait of volunteerism in the community, as well as to augment the current fire brigade of the barangay.

Also adopted was a Resolution declaring the 6th of April of every year as "Araw ng Pagkilala sa Barangay Sto.Cristo". In line with the celebration of Barangay Sto. Cristo's foundation day, SK Chair Navarro authored the resolution to serve as an avenue of recognition for exemplary individuals and groups that have given or will give honor to the Barangay.

Copies of the Resolutions can be acquired through the Barangay Sto.Cristo Secretariat at
#5 Romblon St.,Bagao Bantay,Q.C. You may also contact telefax #9270824.

PGMA signs Republic Act 9525 or the Supplemental Budget Law

Just when you think it was going to be another long drawn out election in 2010, PGMA signed the P11.3-billion supplemental budget for automation of the May 2010 polls.

"We see no more obstacles to the implementation by Comelec of a fully automated election system that will ensure honest, efficient, and credible polls next year... With the enactment of the budget into law, the President is living up to her commitment to modernize the electoral process through automation in order to safeguard the true will of the Filipino electorate." Presidential Political Adviser Gabriel Claudio said in a statement.

I am sure I share the public's sentiments when I say, its about time! The public deserves the practicality and convenience that a full automation of polls will afford them. I hope that this will be a cure to the rampant cheating that is synonymous to elections.

(photo above: "no more of this?")
for a detailed article click here

Ordinances enacted after third reading

After third reading, the Barangay Sto. Cristo Council has enacted today,March 19, 2009, two Ordinances regarding two different areas. Enacted were the Ordinance regarding private land use, authored by Kgd. Ubales, and another declaring parts of Nueva Vizcaya street as a one-way road, by Kgd. Gallanosa. Required documents are now being prepared in order for the enacted Ordinances to be officially filed at the Office of the City Secretary of Quezon City. Copies of the Ordinances are available to the public, and may be requested from the Barangay Sto. Cristo secretariat.

The enacted Ordinances are:

"Ordinance Penalizing the Construction of Structures on a Private Land Without a Notarized
Consent of the Owner for the Purpose of Residence in Barangay Sto.Cristo, Quezon City" Introduced by: Kgd. Rodolfo M. Ubales Jr.
Chairman, Committee on Infrastructure and Public Works



"Ordinance Declaring the Portion of Nueva Vizcaya Street from Palawan to Misamis Streets as a One Way Thoroughfare from 1PM to 9PM Daily"
Introduced by: Kgd. June N. Gallanosa

Chairman, Committee on Transportation, Information and Communication

Republic Act 9522 signed into law

The controversial Philippine baselines bill has recently been signed into law by the President. Signed was Republic Act 9522, also known as the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines Law. The law, "affirms the country's claim of its territorial waters, extended continental shelf, economic zones, and the controversial Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) and Scarborough shoal off the waters of Palawan province", states Executive Secretary Ermita.

The signing was a day before new Chinese Amabassador to the Philippines, Liu Jianchao was supposed to present his credentials to President Arroyo. China, as everyone knows, is just one of the numerous countries that claim part of the detached islands west of the Philippines known as the spratlys. Although the spratlys are not enclosed in the new Philippine baselines, it remains to be under Philippine territory by virtue of a presidential decree issued by former President Marcos, as well as the 1987 Constitution.

for a detailed article click here

Senior Citizens Association celebrates 7th Year

The Senior Citizen's Association of Barangay Sto.Cristo gathered last March 8, to celebrate their 7th anniversary. The celebration headed by Senior Citizen's Association president and former Brgy. Secretary, Mrs. Virginia C. Baclig, was successful in that, it was well-attended. The day started with the distribution of bone supplement and Metformin to members of the senior citizen sector of the community at the SK Hall through the help of SM Foundation. Attendees were also treated to intermissions prepared by the grandchildren of the association members.

In attendance at the gathering were members of the association, former Sto. Cristo Barangay Captain Rodolfo V. Ubales, Federation of Senior Citizens Association of the Philippines (FESCAP) President Jorge Banal, the NCR FESCAP president and treasurer , and members of the current Barangay Sto.Cristo Council, headed by Brgy.Capt. Rizaldy Nepomuceno, Kgd. Rodolfo M. Ubales Jr, Kgd.Marilou C. Baclig, and Kgd. Antonio B. Panlilio, and SK Chair Reymark Navarro. At the meet, Banal reiterated FESCAP's dedication, and the current projects and policies of the federation to facilitate providing better benefits for seniors. Senior Citizens in the Philippines are given special benefits through Republic Act No. 9257, or the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003.

(2nd photo L-R, former Bgy.Capt.Rodolfo Ubales, FESCAP President Jorge Banal,FESCAP NCR President,Virginia Baclig, FESCAP NCR Treasurer) (3rd photo, members of the association enjoying a little bit of dancing) (4th photo Brgy.Capt.Zaldy Nepomuceno,(in green) and Bro. Rey Salac (partly hidden,standing)

Public Hearing Notice

All concerned residents of Brgy. Sto.Cristo are invited to attend the public hearing this March 12, 2009, Thursday, at the Barangay Hall of Sto. Cristo, Quezon City. There will be two proposed ordinances to be tackled at the meet:

1. Proposed "Ordinance Penalizing the Construction of Structures on a Private Land Without a Notarized Consent of the Owner for the Purpose of Residence in Barangay Sto.Cristo, Quezon City"

Authored by: Kgd. Rodolfo M. Ubales Jr.

Chairman, Committee on Infrastructure and Public Works

2. Proposed "Ordinance Declaring the Portion of Nueva Vizcaya Street from Palawan to Misamis Streets as a One Way Thoroughfare from 1PM to 9PM Daily"
Authored by: Kgd. June N. Gallanosa
Chairman, Committee on Transportation, Information and Communication

The public hearing is set at 9AM, for details please call 927.0824 or visit the Barangay Hall at #5 Romblon St.,Bago Bantay, Quezon City.

Republic Act 9514 signed into law

From time to time, this blog will also feature important laws and ordinances recently approved or enacted that are of significance to the population at large.

In 1977, seeing a need to establish a law governing fire hazards and its related emergencies, then President Marcos issued Presidential Decree 1185 (Fire Code of the Philippines). Recently, PGMA signed into law Republic Act 9514, otherwise known as the Revised Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008, effectively repealing the 31 year-old Fire Code that preceded it. . Very timely, as March is "Fire Prevention Month". The DILG is now preparing the Rules and Regulations Implementing the new fire code.

for a detailed article click here

Barangay Sto.Cristo Foundation Day

This coming April, Barangay Sto. Cristo, Quezon City will celebrate its 48th Foundation Day. Activities are now being lined-up for a successful staging of the Foundation Day. For a look back on the origins of Barangay Sto. Cristo read here. To the people of Sto. Cristo, Happy 48th Foundation Day!

The Kagawads and their Committees

An updated list of the Barangay Kagawads of Sto. Cristo and the committees they chair:

KGD. RODOLFO M. UBALES JR.
Chairman, Committee on Infrastructure and Public Works
Chairman, Committee on Ethics and Privileges

KGD. EDWIN I. ALCANTARA
Chairman, Committee on Appropriations,Ways and Means
Chairman, Committee on Human Rights

KGD. JOSEPH VINCENT M. CRUZ
Chairman, Committee on Education, Culture and Sports
Chairman, Committee on Accounts

KGD. MARILOU C. BACLIG
Chairman, Committee on Livelihood, Labor and Employment
Chairman, Committee on Social Services and Gender Equality

KGD. ANTONIO B. PANLILIO
Chairman, Committee on Health and Environment Protection

KGD. BIENVENIDO V. VALERIO
Chairman, Committee on Cooperatives Dev't
Chairman, Committee on Dangerous Drugs
Chairman, Committee on Senior Citizens

KGD. JUNE N. GALLANOSA
Chairman, Committee on Transportation, Information and Communication Tech
Chairman, Committee on Games and Amusements

SK Chairman REYMARK JOHN C. NAVARRO
Chairman, Committee on Youth Development

Matters covered by the listed committees may be forwarded to the member of the Sanggunian that chairs the committee through the Barangay Sto. Cristo office,# 5 Romblon St., Bago Bantay, Quezon City 1105 or through tel.no #63.2.9270824.

Barangay Kagawads attend BOC Seminar

The Barangay Kagawads of Brgy. Sto Cristo recently participated in a seminar workshop to further their knowledge in performing their tasks. In pursuit of providing the Barangay Kagawads of District I, Quezon City with a better understanding of their mandate, the Barangay Operations Center (BOC) of Quezon City recently hosted the "Seminar Workshop on Leadership and Good Public Service" at the Villa Escudero Plantations in San Pablo City, Laguna last Feb 27-28, 2009.

The activity provided local legislators with pertinent information and new ideas on carrying out their powers, duties and responsibilities. The subjects tackled included "Functions and Duties of Sangguniang Barangay Members", (as prescribed in Sec 391 of RA 7160) "Legislative Functions of the Sangguniang Barangay", "Leadership", and "Public Ethics and Accountability". The gathering was also an opportunity for our Barangay Kagawads to interact and exchange ideas with their counterparts from the other barangays of District I. The resource person was the ever engaging Ms.Thelma Japzon. (The author had the pleasure of attending a previous seminar where Ms. Japzon was one of the resource speakers) The seminar was concluded with a graduation ceremony at Villa Escudero's Coconut Pavilion, attended by no less than Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte Jr. himself. In his speech, the mayor also revealed development plans on rehabilitating / reconstructing the Quezon City General Hospital, now that's good news indeed for the residents of Quezon City!
(above, left) Banner greeting attendees, and local legislators of Area I, District I assemble after completing the seminar.

On a side note: I was also impressed by the Villa Escudero Folkloric Dance Troupe (right) who graced the event with a performance of different indigenous Filipino dance while being accompanied by the Villa Escudero Rondalla. What made the performance more impressive was when it was revealed that the dance troupe members were in fact, members of the Villa Escudero staff (garden tenders, front desk personel, museum guides, pavilion staff, etc..) , their children and grand children.

History of Barangay Sto. Cristo

I found this very useful website chronicling the origin of Barangay Sto. Cristo. Although it might have been written some years back, as it stops short of the beginning of the Belmonte Administration, it still provides detailed information on how and where our barangay was created.

Lifted from the Quezon City Public Library Website

STO. CRISTO
Nakalulunos ang kalagayan noon ng mga squatters sa iba’t-ibang dako ng Maynila, lalo na sa Tondo, San Marcelino, Dapitan, Blumentritt, Lealtad. Nang panahong yaon ay nagsisimula pa lamang manungkulan ang yumaong Pangulo Elpidio Quirino noong 1949. Lubos na nadarama ni Pang. Quirino and malungkot at nakakaawa na kalagayan ng mga squatters at ipinalipat niya ang malaking bilang ng mga ito sa nakatiwangwang na mga lupain ng Bago Bantay, Quezon City noong 1950.

Sa simula hanggang sa loob ng pitong taon mahina ang pag-unlad ng Bago Bantay, sanhi ng kakulangan ng mga pangunahing kailangan, gaya ng tubig, ilaw, mga lansangan at sentrong pangkalusugan. Di lamang iyon, and isa pang naging suliranin ni dating Mayor Norberto S. Amoranto ay ang “Peace & Order” situation sa Bago Bantay. Laganap ang labanan ng iba’t-ibang pangkat ng mga masasamang tao. Marami ang harangan at patayan, kaya nga’t maski mga pulis ay takot na sumaklolo o magresponde sa mga ganong pangyayari.

Noong 1960, alinsunod sa bagong carta ng baryo (Republic Act. 2370), ang Quezon City Government ay nagsimulang magtatag ng mga baryo sa lungsod. Ang Bago Bantay ay nagkaroon ng tatlong baryo : Sto. Cristo, Alicia at Magsaysay. Ang Sto. Cristo ay iminungkahing ipangalan ni G. Damaso Barnal, na isang matandang miyembro at tagapayo ng SAMAHANG LABAGOSIL. Naisip niya ito sapagkat maraming magugulong tao ang tila wala nang takot at pag-galang sa Diyos. Inaasahan niyang magbabago ng Konseho ng Lungsod Quezon ang isang City Ordinance No. 61-4718, bilang isang hiwalay ng Barrio Sto. Cristo sa tulong nina Hepe Rollie Villacorte, Edmundo E. Leynes ng “Baryo Government Office.”

Ang mga unang halal na pinuno ng Sangguniang Baryo Sto. Cristo ay sina : Julio Judith bilang Teniente del Barrio, mga Bise- Teniente, sina Ireneo Daet, Conrado P. Baclig, Paz Ortega, Carlos Avelino at Roberto Verdon. Ang mga Barrio Konsehal ay sina : Mario Ordonez, Lucy Perez, E. Regalario at Gg. Putian. Ang populasyon noon ay 5,000.
Nang sumunod na mga halal noong 1965 ay sina G. Alfredo Abella bilang Teniente del Barrio, G. Hilario Valmonte, Pedro Navarro,Jr., Gg. Telesfora Asoy, G. Carlos Avelino, Galicano Singson, mga Konsehal ng Barrio, si Gng. Virginia Baclig ay nahirang na Kalihim at Gng. Angelita Castro bilang Ingat-Yamat ng Barrio.

Sa ilalim ng pangangasiwa ni Teniente del Barrio Abella nagsimula ang pagtatayo ng “Multi-Purpose Barrio Hall”, bagamat ito ay kulang sa kayarian. Sa di inaasahang pagkamatay ni Teniente Abella noong 1969, pinaupo sa tungkulin si Hilario Valmonte, bilang kahaliling Teniente del Barrio. Sa taong ding ito nadestino si Padre Miguel Nuguid sa simbahan ng Sto. Nino sa buong Bago Bantay. Malaki ang naitulong niya sa katahimikan at kapayapaan ng mga naninirahan. Inakit niya ang mga tao na mag-mahal sa kapwa, makipagtulungan sa isa’t-isa at maging mabuting tagasunod sa Diyos. Ang proyektong pagpapatayo ng Barrio Hall ay ipinagpatuloy ni G. Hilario Valmonte. Bukod dito’y nakapagpagawa siya ng mga artesian wells at naipaispalto niya ang Fort Santiago Street. Sa kanyang mabuting pamamahala ay unti-unting nasugpo ang mga gawain ng masasamang tao sa Barrio. Nang magkaroon ng halalan noong ika-9 ng Enero 1972 ng pinangangasiwaan ni G. Leynes, ay si G. Navarro, Jr. ang nahalal na Teniente del Barrio na tuloy na naging Barrio Kapitan bilang pagsunod sa Bagong Barrio Charter (RA No. 3590). Ang mga nna Konsehal ay sina: Conrado Baclig, Angelita Barnardo, Ireneo Daet, S. Ambrosio Martin at David Benavidez. Nahirang na kalihim ay si Virginia Baclig at Ingat-Yaman si Rustico Songcog.

Nang iproklama ang Martial Law noong September 21, 1972, ang Kapitan ay tinawag na Barangay Captain, mga Baryo Konsehal ay Barangay Councilmen o Kagawad, Kalihim ng Barrio sa Barangay Secretary o Kalihim, Ingat-Yaman o Bangay Treasurer, at marami pang iba. Ang lahat ng ito ay bisa ng Presidnetial Decree No. 557. Nang isaayos ni dating Mayor Amoranto noong 1975 ang lahat na mga barangay sa Quezon City, alinsunod sa PD No. 86 at PD No. 86-A at ang dating mga baryo ay naging barangay sang-ayon din sa PD No. 557. Nagkaroon din ng pagbabago ang hangganan o boundaries ng mga barangay. Ipinadala ni Mayor Amoranto noong December 9, 1975 kay Jose Rono, at kinumpirmahan niya bilang Kalihim ng Dept. pf Local Government and Community Development ang Executive Order No. 25 to 36 noong February 6, 1976. Ang kaunting pagbabago sa boundary ng Barangay Sto. Cristo ay ang mga sumusunod : On the North-Culiat River, East-Palawan St., extending towards boundaryline; South-EDSA and North Ave., and West-Samar St. up to Culiat Creek.

Noong Mayo 17, 1982 ay nagkaroon ng halalan ang mga barangay at dito’y muling nahalal na Punong Barangay si G. Pedro Navarro, Jr., at kasama niyang nahalal bilang mga Kagawad sina Conrado Baclig, Celedonio Escano, Jr. Alicia Saludez, Florentino Tan, Eduardo Barnabe at Ireneo Daet. Muling nahirang na Kalihim si Virginia Daet at Alicia Valerio bilang Ingat-Yaman. Hanggang sa dumating ang “EDSA Revolution” noong February 25, 1986 at si Bgy. Capt. Pedro Navarro, Jr. ay inalis sa tungkulin at ang ipinalit sa kanya ay si Dr. Enrique Dela Rosa, bilang OIC-Bgy. Capt. di naman nagtagal, umalis si Dr. Dela Rosa papuntang America. Ang humalili ay si Kagawad Conrado Baclig, bilang OIC-Bgy. Capt. at hinirang sina Rudy Asoy, Pablo Garcia at Bartolome Saludez bilang mga kagawad. Dahil sa kasipagan ay nagkasakit si Kagawad Ireneo Daet at namatay siya sa pagtupad sa tungkulin, noong Enero 31, 1988.

Dumating ang halalan ng barangay noong March 28, 1989, kung saan ang lahat ng kandidato ay pawing mga kagawad at walang Kapitan. Ang nanguna sa nasabing halalan ay si Florentino Tan, kung kaya’t siya ang naproklamang Barangay Captain. Ang mga kasama niyang nahalal ay sina Rudy Ubales, Conrado Baclig, Bartolome Saludez, Ben Valerio, Pablo Garcia at Isidro Perez. Nang tumulak patungong America si Kapitan Tan noong October 12, 1992 ay gumanap bilang Bgy. Capt. Si Rudy Ubales. Hingi nagtagal at nag-resign si Kapitan Tan at nanumpa bilang bagong Bgy.Capt. si Rudy Ubales noong May 10, 1993. Maraming nagawa at marami pang ibang binalak na isakatuparan ang pinagtutulungan ng buong Konseho sa Barangay sa masigasig na pamumuno ni Kapitan Ubales sa ngayon. Ang pag-seminar ng mga naninirahan sa barangay sa “Cooperative” project. Sa katahimikan naman ay nabawasan naang mga nakawan at gumanda na ang kalagayan ng katahimikan ngayon sa Sto. Cristo at maunlad na adminstrasyon ni Mayor Ismael Mathay, Jr. Sa pagtatagumpay ng lahat ng ito ay dahil sa mga “civic organization” na tumutulong sa pag-unlad ng katahimikan tulad ng Palawan-Romblon Organization “87 (PRO ’87), ang sariling sikap at “Lakas Damayan ng Iloilo corner Pampanga Sts.” Lalo na ang mga regular at volunteer BSDO’s. Kaya’t ang lahat ng pagbabago ay tanda ng mga residente ng Barangay na may disiplina at pagkakaisa tungo sa ikauunlad ng Barangay Sto. Cristo"

to read more on the history of Quezon City and the Quezon City barangays, you can check the Quezon City Public Library website, or click here.

On a side note: the incumbent Sangguniang Barangay of Brgy.Sto Cristo:
(as elected in the synchronized Barangay and SK elections last October 2007)
Bgy Capt. Rizaldy C. Nepomuceno
Kgd. Rodolfo M. Ubales Jr.
Kgd. Edwin I. Alcantara
Kgd. Joseph Vincent M. Cruz
Kgd. Marilou C. Baclig
Kgd. Bienvenido V. Valerio
Kgd. Antonio B. Panlilio
Kgd. June N. Gallanosa
SK Chairman Reymark John C. Navarro

Welcome to the Brgy. Sto Cristo, Quezon City blog

Welcome! this is the unofficial blog of Barangay Sto. Cristo, Quezon City, although we are still in the process of creating useful content, please feel free to browse. This blog will journal important information from the Brgy.Sto Cristo government. From announcements of activities, to passed legislation,and everything in between,we hope that this site will be a useful guide not only to the constituents of Brgy.Sto Cristo, but to others who seek relevant information as well.