Subic, Zambales - In pursuit of promoting transparency and accountability in Local Governance, the bi-annual Synchronized Barangay Assembly Day (SBAD) was held on March 19, 2016 with Brgy. Sto. Tomas of this town as the Regional Showcase Barangay of Region 3.

Punong Barangay Gennyfer G. Chantengco shared the barangay's accomplishments through the State of Barangay Address (SOBA) which highlighted their efforts on Peace and Order, and Health and Education. He also thanked the national government for its de-silting project as well as their municipality for the construction of roads, fitness gym and covered court in their barangay.

Disaster Preparedness was also given emphasis as Ms. Jackie-lou Balbarino and Mr. Russel Aaron Tolentino, students from Columban College, presented the Early Warning System they devised which was designed to alert their local officials for possible flooding thru GSM.

After this, the barangay's financial status was reported by Barangay Treasurer Normelita S. Tan.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento sent a message to barangay folks delivered by OIC-Assistant MED Chief Rolando D. Ocampo. He mentioned the reforms made by the national government in ensuring delivery of basic services to the people. These included the Pantawid Pamlyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), improved Philhealth coverage, enhanced support in the agriculture, and the National Greening Program.

Aside from improving basic services, Sec. Sarmiento also said that the government is empowering the people through the Bottom-up Budgeting.

"Ang BUB ay People Power. Sa pamamagitan ng BUB na sinimulan ng namayapang si Secretary Jesse Robredo at pinalawak ni Secretary Mar Roxas, ibinigay natin sa taumbayan ang kapangyarihang pangunahan ang proyekto sa kanilang komunidad," he stated in his message.

However, Sec. Sarmiento said that the government still wants to improve on these that is why they are implementing the Bottom-up Budgeting to the Barangay.

"Pero hindi pupwede ang pwede na sa DILG. Sa utos ni Pangulong Aquino, ipapaabot na natin sa kada barangay ang BUB [...]. Sa ilalim ng programang ito [Barangay Bottom-up Budgeting], ang barangay ay makakatanggap ng P1,000,000 para sa pagsasagawa ng mga prayoridad na proyekto sa kanilang lugar na sila mismo ang pumili", he added.

Subsequently, Ms. Sheryl Ann Q. Dungca, DILG Officer of Subic, introduced and discussed the updates on the Barangay Bottom-Up Budgeting (BBUB) Projects.

The other government officials who also graced the event were Subic Mayor Jefferson F. Khonghun, Rep. Jeffrey D. Khonghun of the 1st District of Zambales, DILG Zambales Provincial Director Armi V. Bactad, and representatives from various National Government Agencies such as PNP, Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), DENR, DOLE and BFP.