ILOILO – Against the backdrop of intensifying national outrage over alleged corruption involving high-ranking government officials, Iloilo 3rd District’s Cong. Lorenz Defensor challenged the province’s 2,505 Barangay Service Point Officers (BSPOs) to use their influence at the village level to help elect leaders who can restore integrity in public service.
Speaking before the 2025 Provincial BSPO Congress at the Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao on Monday, Defensor warned that corruption at the highest echelons of government inflicts deeper and more lasting damage on Filipino families than petty crimes committed in the barangays.
“Masakit kag mabug-at nga allegation sang pagpangawat kag corruption kontra sa pinakamatag-as nga officials sang government… indi lang krimen sa barangay ang nagasilot sa pamilyang Ilonggo… kundi ang korapsyon nga nagaguba sang banwa, nagakuha sang puturo sang mga kabatan, kag nagaguba gid sang pamilya,” he said.
Moral reset
Positioning BSPOs as frontliners in a needed moral reset, Defensor said their “determination” could spark change not just in their barangays but across the province and the entire country.
“Ano bala ang kinahanglan naton nga pagbag-o? Ara sa mga kamot sang BSPOs, ara sa kamot sang barangay officials, kag tagsa ka pamilyang Ilonggo nga magpili sang husto nga leader,” he stressed.
He reminded them that every election provides an opportunity to correct the course of governance: “Kada may tsansa kita nga magpili sang leader nga madumala sang aton… pili kamo sang gobyerno nga makadumdom nga ang titulo sang poder kag titulo sa gobyerno, dapat i-uli sa tawo paagi sa malimpyu kag tampad nga panghimanwa.”
Defensor added that honest governance “should start with humility” and the recognition that public office is a responsibility owed to the people.
Security of tenure, more benefits for BSPOs pushed
Defensor also assured BSPOs he would help push for a law granting them security of tenure so they would not be arbitrarily replaced whenever local administrations change. He likewise promised to work for additional annual benefits for the volunteers.
Governance relies on accurate data
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., in his inspirational message, emphasized the indispensable role of BSPOs in collecting reliable barangay-level data used in planning provincial programs.
“Indi maghulag ang programa sang probinsya kon wala kita sang ginakaptan nga datus,” he said, thanking the volunteers for making provincial project rollout more efficient.
Iloilo BSPO – Largest in PH
Provincial Population Office head Atty. Ruel Von Superio praised the BSPOs for their work in supporting population and development programs, noting that Iloilo has the largest number of BSPOs in the country.
“The Province of Iloilo has been recognized as the Most Outstanding LGU in the entire Western Visayas… These recognitions would not have been possible without you,” he said, adding, “Because of the impact and positive change that you bring… no family is left behind, no community is overlooked, and no sector remains unheard.”
Superio also lauded the volunteers’ role in helping Iloilo emerge as a national leader in implementing the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action (2023–2028).
This year’s congress carried the theme: “Empowering BSPOs: For Stronger Families, Stronger Communities, And A Stronger Nation.”
The event also honored volunteers who have served for 40, 30, 20, and 10 years./PN
