BAGUIO CITY — Bagong Lipunan, a barangay that exists on paper but remains functionally dormant, has no residents and no registered voters, leaving its future uncertain.
The Baguio City Council is now tasked with deciding whether to revive the barangay, merge it with neighboring areas, or formally abolish it through legislation.
On August 18, 2025, the council directed the City Legal Office to conduct a legal and policy study and submit recommendations.
Unique Governance Status
Covering 1.1 hectares, including the Maharlika Livelihood Complex and portions of Blocks 3 and 4, Bagong Lipunan has a unique governance status.
Recognized as one of Baguio’s 129 barangays, it has been non-operational due to the absence of residents, leading to its exclusion from official listings.
On January 29, 2025, the barangay was allocated a National Tax Allotment (NTA) of ₱1.97 million.
However, the funds were not released because the barangay has no bank account, highlighting legal and administrative challenges tied to its status.
Legal and Electoral Challenges
City Legal Officer Atty. Althea Alberto confirmed that despite being dormant, Bagong Lipunan still legally exists.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) verified that no legislative action has formally abolished it.
The 2007 delisting during elections was based solely on population thresholds, not a formal dissolution.
Baguio City Election Officer Atty. John Paul Martin said the barangay has had no voters or candidates since around 2007, following the removal of its voters due to “flying voters,” a process initiated by then-Election Officer, now Councilor Edison Bilog.
Bilog stated that more than half of the original voter base remained after the initial purge, but later orders by then-COMELEC Commissioner Armando Velasco excluded all remaining voters due to Ordinance 61-1986 (Revised Market Code), which prohibits residential occupancy within the public market area.
This left Barangay Bagong Lipunan effectively dormant.
Bilog argued this contradicted the presidential proclamation creating Bagong Lipunan, stressing that national laws take precedence over local ordinances.
Several councilors identified this contradiction as the core legal dilemma.
Options on the Table
Despite its inactivity, only Congress or the city council can dissolve a barangay under the Local Government Code.
During the council session, two options were explored: reviving the barangay or merging it with neighboring barangays.
Alberto recommended merging Bagong Lipunan with adjacent areas to regularize governance and protect businesses within its jurisdiction.
Bilog challenged this solution, noting that the Local Government Code requires a plebiscite among residents of merging barangays — impossible since Bagong Lipunan has no registered voters.
He instead proposed allowing qualified individuals to register, restoring the barangay’s active status and access to internal revenue allocation and administrative functions.
Martin confirmed that voter registration is legally permitted for qualified applicants.
Alberto also agreed that revival is viable, provided prospective voters can prove actual residency within the barangay’s boundaries.
Next Steps
The city council has not yet reached a final decision.
Further study by the City Legal Office will guide the council on whether Bagong Lipunan should be revived, merged, or formally abolished.
Share