About the Community
Community Overview
Barangay Balok is one of the 52 barangays in the Municipality of Sindangan, in the province of Zamboanga del Norte. It is five kilometers away from Barangay Poblacion and about thirty minutes ride by local transportation. It is composed of seven (7) puroks, called sectors. It has a total land area of 426.884 hectares. Most areas of the barangay are surrounded by hills and mountains. One of the popular peaks is called Balok Peak which lies parallel to the main highway. Barangay Balok is an agricultural area where the main source of livelihood is farming. Most products are corn, rice, banana, and coconut. Irrigation is primarily supplied by the main river, the Balok River, which traverses most agricultural areas of the barangay. It has a culturally diverse community with hospitable people, with an official total population of 1,821 as of October 2022. The population of Barangay Balok is composed of various ethnicities and religions including Subanen, Bisaya, Muslim, and Ilonggo. They belong to Roman Catholic Church, Alliance (CAMACOP) Church, Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Baptist Church.
History
According to local history, there was a big and strong man who once lived in the community. The people called him “Balok”. He was a native of the Subanen tribe, therefore he spoke Subanen only. Later those bygone days, he moved to the adjacent place which is the Municipality of Siayan where a number of Subanens also live. He left for the reason that he cannot understand Visayan which is spoken by majority of the people of what is now Barangay Balok.
Barangay Balok was created on December 14, 1991 during the administration of Honorable Floro B. Entrina, the first Barangay Chairman. He was succeeded by Honorable Manuel G. Bayawa and Honorable Ma.Nancy G. Rabeng, respectively. On 2018 elections, Honorable Manuel G. Bayawa was elected again as the Barangay Chairman up to this present day.
Governance
Honorable Manuel G. Bayawa was elected as the Punong Barangay during the 2018 elections. As Chief Executive of the barangay government he exercises powers and performs such duties and functions as provided by the LGU Code and other laws for efficient, effective and economical governance, the purpose of which is the general welfare of the Barangay and its inhabitants, among others.
The Sangguniang Barangay, the legislative body of the barangay whose function is to enact ordinances as may be necessary to discharge the responsibilities conferred upon it by law or ordinance and to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants therein, among others, is composed of the Punong Barangay as Presiding Officer and seven (7) regular Sangguniang Barangay members elected at large and the Sangguniang Kabataan chairman as members. The (7) seven regular Sangguniang Barangay members are also designated to different committees as follows: Hon. Rolando E. Bayawa SR. for Committee on Bids and Awards, Hon. Floro B. Entrina SR. for Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Jerry S. Catalbas for Committee on Appropriations, Hon. Rogelio T. Paclauna for Committee on Environmental, Hon. Bonifacio M. Bitonga for Committee on Peace and Order, Hon. Bonifacio M. Bitonga for Committee on Health and Sanitation, and Hon. Jean Christine Y. Briones for Committee on Education. The SK Chairman, Hon. Patrick Y. Jugo exercises general supervision over the affairs and activities of the Sangguniang Kabataan and the official conduct of its members. He also implements policies, programs and projects within his jurisdiction in coordination with the Sangguniang Barangay.
Other appointive barangay officials of the barangay local government unit are as follows:
The Barangay Secretary, Wilson C. Jugo Sr. keeps custody of all records of the barangay demographics, records of the Sangguniang Barangay and the Barangay assembly meetings, among others.
The Barangay Treasurer, Janeth J. Benlot keeps custody of barangay funds and properties. She is also in charge of the collection and issuance of official receipts for taxes, fees, contributions, monies, materials and all other resources accruing to the Barangay Treasury and deposit the same in the account of the Barangay, among others.
The Katarungang Pambarangay under which is the Lupong Tagapamayapa, is composed of Punong Barangay as chairman, and the seven (7) members who exercises administrative supervision over the conciliation panels provided.
