The Provincial Government, through the Municipal and Barangay Affairs Section (MBAS) under the Executive Department, plays a central role in strengthening local governance and accelerating grassroots development across Occidental Mindoro.
Serving as a key link between the provincial government and local communities, MBAS ensures that barangays and municipalities receive the guidance, resources, and institutional support needed to deliver responsive and effective public service.
One of the office’s major initiatives is the Best Performing Municipalities Incentive Program, which recognizes excellence in local governance. Under this program, fifteen (15) barangays were awarded ₱1,000,000.00 each for successfully passing the 2023 Seal of Good Local Governance for Barangays at the national level.
This incentive not only rewards outstanding performance but also motivates local government units to continuously improve transparency, accountability, and service delivery.
Beyond incentive-based programs, MBAS extended financial assistance to a wide range of beneficiaries, including sixty-six (66) barangays, five (5) municipalities, sixteen (16) individuals, thirty (30) associations and cooperatives, and forty-nine (49) national government agencies. These funds supported a variety of activities and development initiatives such as founding anniversary celebrations, construction and rehabilitation of gymnasium facilities, infrastructure repairs, procurement of materials and equipment, and participation in both local and national events—including pageants, conferences, and sports competitions. These interventions contributed to community cohesion, infrastructure improvement, and the enhanced visibility of the province in regional and national platforms.
The office also implemented the Ugnayan sa Barangay Program, which emphasizes collaboration, coordination, and open communication among government units and partner organizations. Through this initiative, MBAS facilitated the validation and assessment of requests from various stakeholders, ensuring that concerns were addressed efficiently and resources were allocated appropriately. Regular on-site monitoring and project validation further ensured that community projects were implemented effectively and in line with established goals, with the active participation of concerned stakeholders.
Through its comprehensive approach—combining financial assistance, performance incentives and coordination mechanisms—the Municipal and Barangay Affairs Section continues to empower local government units and strengthen the foundations of inclusive and sustainable development throughout the province.