A. MEANING AND IMPOR IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL LOCAL LEGISLA LEGISLATION TION 1. What What is loca locall legisl legislati ation? on? Local legislation can e !n"e#stoo" in t$o $a%s& as 'o$e# an" as a '#ocess. Local Legislation as 'o$e#((Local legislation #e)e#s to the 'o$e# o) a local legislati*e o"% to +a,e #!les in the )o#+ o) o#"inances an" #esol!tions o) local a''lication that ha*e the )o#ce an" e-ect o) la$. •
•
Local Legislation as a '#ocess((Local legislation is the inte#action o) the local local legislat legislati*e i*e o"% $ith the eec!ti eec!ti*e *e #anch/ #anch/ ci*il ci*il societ% societ% incl!"i incl!"ing ng const constit! it!ent ents/ s/ nongo nongo*e# *e#n+ n+ent ental al o#gan o#gani0a i0atio tions ns an" the '#i*a '#i*ate te secto# secto# #es!lting in o#"inances an" #esol!tions that '#o+ote the "e*elo'+ent o) a local go*e#n+ent !nit LG23. The '#o"!cts o# o!t'!ts o) this inte#action a#e o#"inances an" #esol!tions.
4. Wh% is local local legislat legislation ion i+'o# i+'o#tant? tant? Local legislation is i+'o#tant eca!se it is a 'o$e#)!l/ *ital tool )o#& 5 a""#essing the '#ole+s o) the citi0ens o) the LG2 5 '#o+oting the gene#al $el)a#e an" "e*elo'+ent o) the LG2 an" its citi0ens 5 attaining the *ision o) the LG2 )o# its citi0ens Man% o#"inances a#e enacte" ase" on the legislati*e o"%6s #eaction to a '#ole+ that has al#ea"% a#isen. This t%'e o) legislation is *ali" !t o)ten has a sho#t(te#+ e-ect in a""#essing a '#ole+. Local legislation can e +o#e #es'onsi*e i) it a""#esses o# '#e"icts $hat citi0ens nee" to ha*e a ette# 7!al 7!alit it% % o) li)e li)e// e*en e*en e)o e)o##e the the citi citi0e 0ens ns #in #ing g the+ the+ to the the atte attent ntio ion n o) legislato#s. F!#the#/ local legislation can e e-ecti*e i) a""#esses long(te#+/ st#ategic nee"s that can cont#i!te to the attain+ent o) the *ision o) the LG2 )o# its citi0ens. Local legislation is a tool )o# o'e#ationali0ing Section 18 o) the 1991 Local Go*e#n Go*e#n+ent +ent Co"e LGC3 LGC3 o# the Gene#al Gene#al Wel)a#e Wel)a#e Cla!se $hich $hich co*e#s co*e#s the )ollo$ing as'ects& 1. '#ese#*ation an" en#ich+ent o) c!lt!#e: 4. '#o+otion o) health an" sa)et%: ;. enhance+ent o) the #ight o) the 'eo'le to a alance" ecolog%: <. enco!#age+ent o)/ an" s!''o#t to/ the "e*elo'+ent o) a''#o'#iate an" sel)(#eliant technological ca'ailities: =. i+'#o*e+ent o) '!lic +o#als: 8. enhance+ent o) econo+ic '#os'e#it% an" social >!stice: . '#o+otion o) )!ll e+'lo%+ent a+ong the #esi"ents: an" @. +aintenance o) 'eace an" o#"e# as $ell as the '#ese#*ation '#ese#*ation o) the co+)o#t an" con*enience o) the inhaitants. ;. Who +a, +a,es es local local legi legisl slati ation? on? Local legislation is a 'a#tici'ato#% '#ocess. It ac7!i#es legiti+ac% an" social acce't acce'tai ailit lit% % tho!g tho!gh h the in*ol* in*ol*e+e e+ent nt o) sta,e sta,ehol hol"e# "e#s s in the LG2. LG2. In this this contet/ sta,ehol"e#s a#e g#o!'s/ o#gani0ations an" in"i*i"!als $ho ha*e a sta,e6 in o# $hose inte#ests $ill e a-ecte" % the '#ocess o) +a,ing la$s o# 'olicies. Local legislation is +a"e % ,e% sta,ehol"e#s in the LG2& 5 the sangg!nian o# local legislati*e o"% 5 the local chie) eec!ti*e/ incl!"ing local go*e#n+ent eec!ti*es 5 the constit!ents constit!ents 5 the ci*il ci*il societ societ% % o#ga o#gani0 ni0ati ations ons// nongo* nongo*e# e#n+ n+ent ental al o#gan o#gani0a i0atio tions/ ns/ an" 'eo'le6s o#gani0ations 5 the '#i*ate secto# an" othe# inte#est g#o!'s.
1BPage
Legislati*e a!tho#it% at the local le*el is vested in the sanggunian or the local legislative body . The sangg!nian is a collegial o"%/ co+'ose" o) a g#o!' o) in"i*i"!als electe" to #e'#esent the 'eo'le6s inte#ests. It has the 'o$e# to enact o#"inances/ a''#o*e #esol!tions/ an" a''#o'#iate )!n"s )o# the $el)a#e o) the LG2 an" its inhaitants. The 1991 Local Go*e#n+ent Co"e *ests legislati*e 'o$e# to the sangg!nian at "i-e#ent le*els o) local go*e#n+ent& a. Sangg!niang Panla$igan )o# '#o*inces . Sangg!niang a%an )o# +!nici'alities c. Sangg!niang Panl!ngso" )o# cities ". Sangg!niang a#anga% )o# a#anga%s e. In the a!tono+o!s #egions o) the co!nt#%/ legislation is +a"e % the #egional legislati*e asse+lies/ e.g. Regional Legislati*e Asse+l% o) the A!tono+o!s Region in M!sli+ Min"anao. . EFFECTIE LOCAL LEGISLATION #e)e# to F#a+e$o#, )o# E-ecti*e Local Legislation3 What is e-ecti*e local legislation? E-ecti*e local legislation is a collecti*e an" 'a#tici'ato#% '#ocess. It #e)e#s to the inte#action o) the sangg!nian o# local legislati*e o"% $ith the eec!ti*e #anch an" ci*il societ% #es!lting in legislati*e actions that '#o+ote the "e*elo'+ent o>ecti*es o) the LG2. Ci*il societ% incl!"es the '#i*ate secto#/ nongo*e#n+ental o#gani0ations NGOs3/ 'eo'le6s o#gani0ations POs3/ ci*il societ% o#gani0ations CSOs3/ an" constit!ents. The 'a#tici'ation o) these in"i*i"!als an" g#o!'s is essential to ens!#e the legiti+ac% an" social acce'tailit% o) o#"inances an" #esol!tions enacte". The sangg!nian is a '!lic instit!tion. Li,e an% othe# o#gani0ation/ it +!st ha*e ecient st#!ct!#es an" s%ste+s. It +!st ha*e 'eo'le $ho can "o thei# >os $ell eca!se the% ,no$ thei# #oles an" )!nctions. An ecient legislati*e o#gani0ation +!st ha*e the )ollo$ing& o#gani0ational st#!ct!#e #!les o) '#oce"!#e legislati*e lea"e#shi' legislati*e co++ittees legislati*e s!''o#t s%ste+/ an" +echanis+ )o# legislati*e(eec!ti*e coo#"ination • • • • • •
The '#esence o) a"e7!ate an" )!nctioning st#!ct!#es an" s%ste+s +a,e the legislation '#ocess o# c%cle ecient an" o'en to 'a#tici'ation )#o+ sta,ehol"e#s o!tsi"e the legislati*e o#gani0ation. Fo# instance/ o#"inances cannot e enacte" $itho!t #!les o) '#oce"!#e: o# the s!stance o) "#a)t o#"inances cannot e enhance" % NGOs $itho!t sangg!nian co++ittees to get thei# *ie$s an" 'e#s'ecti*es. C. Local Legislation C%cle As an instit!tion tas,e" to ca##% o!t a '!lic +an"ate/ the sangg!nian +!st ha*e a clea# !n"e#stan"ing o) the *ision an" +ission o) the LG2 !nit to $hich it elongs. As $ell/ its $o#, +!st e g!i"e" % a clea# '#ocess that "enes the #ole o) "i-e#ent sta,ehol"e#s in each stage o# 'hase. Local legislation is a c%cle that in*ol*es )o!# 'hases o# stages& 1. Legislati*e Agen"a Fo#+!lation 4. C#a)ting o) O#"inances an" Resol!tions 4BPage
;. Enact+ent o) O#"inances an" Co"es o) O#"inances <. E*al!ation o) the I+'le+entation o) O#"inances At each 'hase/ *a#io!s sta,ehol"e#s in the LG2 inte#act $ith the sangg!nian to ens!#e that +eas!#es '#o"!ce" a""#ess the "e*elo'+ent o>ecti*es o) the LG2. 1. Phase 1. Legislati*e Agen"a Fo#+!lation((Legislation "oes not egin $ith the #st #ea"ing o) a '#o'ose" +eas!#e. Legislation egins +!ch ea#lie#/ $ith the )o#+!lation o) a list o) '#io#it% legislati*e +eas!#es $hich the sangg!nian see,s to enact )o# the "!#ation o) its te#+. 4. Phase 4. C#a)ting o) O#"inances an" Resol!tions((The secon" stage is the c#a)ting o) o#"inances an" #esol!tions. This in*ol*es t$o +a>o# ste's& 13 i"enti)%ing an" anal%0ing a 'olic% '#ole+ to e a""#esse" % legislation 43 gathe#ing #esea#ch(ase" in)o#+ation/ an" ;3 "#a)ting the legislati*e '#o'osal. A goo" anal%sis is in)o#+e" % a s!cient ,no$le"ge o) the "e*elo'+ent iss!es that sho!l" e a""#esse" % o#"inances& poverty reduction, gender equality, environmental protection, peace and unity, accountability and transparency, and citizen participation. D#a)ting a legislati*e '#o'osal #e7!i#es ,no$le"ge o) its 'a#ts o# ele+ents/ #!les o) const#!ction s!ch as g#a++a# an" !sage/ )o#+ an" st%le. ;. Phase ;. Enact+ent o) O#"inances an" Co"es o) O#"inances((This stage in*ol*es the '#ocess o) "elie#ation/ cons!ltation/ co"ication an" consi"e#ation that a "#a)t o#"inance o# #esol!tion !n"e#goes e)o#e it is a"o'te" o# enacte". Witho!t eec!ti*e a''#o*al/ an o#"inance 'asse" % the sangg!nian cannot e i+'le+ente". The eec!ti*e #anch an" the ci*il societ% g#o!'s can in!ence this stage % 'a#tici'ating in co++ittee acti*ities an" othe# stages o) the legislati*e '#ocess )#o+ #st #ea"ing to a''#o*al o) the +eas!#e % the local chie) eec!ti*e LCE3. <. Phase <. E*al!ation o) the I+'le+entation o) O#"inances((The $o#, o) the sangg!nian "oes not en" $ith the enact+ent o) a la$. The sangg!nian +!st "ete#+ine i) the o#"inances it enacte" a#e i+'le+ente" an" i) so/ ho$ the% a#e i+'le+ente" % the eec!ti*e #anch. The e*al!ation '#ocess see,s to "ete#+ine i) legislati*e intent is ca##ie" o!t an" "ete#+ine i) )!n"s !se" )o# i+'le+enting go*e#n+ent '#og#a+s a#e not $aste". This )!nction o) local legislati*e o"ies is calle" legislati*e o*e#sight. Reco++en"ations )#o+ the e*al!ation )ee"ac, into the #st stage o) the legislation c%cle an" eco+e an a""itional agen"a o# 'a#t o) the legislati*e agen"a o) a ne$ set o) legislato#s. The c%cle contin!es $ith the c#a)ting o) ne$ o#"inances/ thei# enact+ent an" e*al!ation. D. Di-e#ence o) O#"inances an" Resol!tions A asic #!le in c#a)ting legislati*e +eas!#es is to ,no$ the "i-e#ence et$een an o#"inances an" a #esol!tion. 5 A #esol!tion is a legislati*e action o) a te+'o#a#% nat!#e: a +e#e e'#ession o) the o'inion o# senti+ent o) the sangg!nian on +atte#s #elating to '#o'#ieta#% )!nction an" to '#i*ate conce#ns. ;BPage
5 An o#"inance is a local la$ '#esc#iing #!les o) con"!ct o) a gene#al/ 'e#+anent nat!#e. It contin!es to e in )o#ce !ntil #e'eale" o# s!'e#se"e" % a s!se7!ent enact+ent. E. Ele+ents o) an O#"inance An o#"inance +!st ha*e the )ollo$ing ele+ents o# asic 'a#ts& 1. Title 5 The long title o) an o#"inance is the gene#al "esc#i'tion o) $hat it "oes. It a''ea#s on the #st 'ages/ >!st a)te# the hea"ing HAn O#"inance. 5 The long title sho!l" al$a%s "esc#ie the o#"inance6s +ain th#!st an" i) the#e a#e othe# +iscellaneo!s/ +ino# o# !n#elate" ite+s in the o#"inance/ the% a#e !s!all% han"le" % si+'l% a""ing Han" )o# othe# '!#'oses >!st e)o#e the 'e#io" at the en" o) the title. 5 A sho#t title sho!l" si+'l% co*e# the el" that the o#"inance co*e#s: it is nee"e" in +a>o# o#"inances o# co"es so the% can e easil% cite" an" #e)e##e" to. 4. Enacting Cla!se 5 It in"icates the a!tho#it% o# so!#ce o) the o#"inance. ;. o"% o# Cent#al P#o*isions 5 The o"% o# cent#al '#o*isions ca##% o!t the o#"inance6s '#inci'al o>ecti*e 5 The o"% consists o) the state+ent o) 'olic% o# '!#'ose/ "enitions/ st#!ct!#al o# a"+inist#ati*e an" #e'o#ting '#o*isions/ a''#o'#iations '#o*isions/ an" #e'o#ting '#o*isions. <. Penalt% Cla!se 5 The 'enalt% cla!se is o'tional as it a''lies onl% to gene#al o#"inances an" ta o#"inances. =. T#ansitional P#o*isions 5 T#ansitional '#o*isions a#e o'tional an" +ost )#e7!entl% !se" in ta an" #eg!lato#% o#"inances. 5 These '#o*isions a#e the +eans to +a,e the changeo*e# )#o+ an ol" o#"inance to a ne$ one. 8. Re'ealing Cla!se 5 It is also ,no$n as the se*e#ailit% o# se'a#ailit% cla!se 5 It "ecla#es that i) an% 'a#t o) the o#"inances in $hich it a''ea#s is )o!n" to e !nconstit!tional/ the #est o) the o#"inance is not to e a-ecte". . E-ecti*it% Cla!se 5 It s'ecies eactl% $hen an" ho$ the o#"inance is to go initiall% into e-ect. F. Jin"s o) O#"inances The )ollo$ing a#e the )o!# gene#al ,in"s o) o#"inances. 1. Gene#al O#"inance ( #e)e#s to an o#"inance enacte" % a sangg!nian in the ee#cise o) its 'olice 'o$e# $hose '#i+a#% ai+ is the gene#al $el)a#e o) the 'eo'le % '#esc#iing ce#tain #eg!lato#% +eas!#es. 4. A''#o'#iation O#"inance K #e)e#s to an o#"inance $hose '#i+a#% ai+ is to a''#o'#iate local )!n"s )o# '!#'oses allo$e" % eisting la$s. ;. Ta O#"inance K #e)e#s to an o#"inance enacte" % a sangg!nian in the ee#cise o) the local go*e#n+ent !nit6s taing 'o$e# $hose '#i+a#% '!#'ose is to #aise local #e*en!es th#! the i+'osition o# le*%ing o) taes/ )ees an" cha#ges s!>ect to ce#tain li+itations '#esc#ie" % eisting la$. <. S'ecial O#"inance K #e)e#s to an o#"inance ai+e" to a""#ess a s'ecial '!#'ose. G. asic R!les in C#a)ting O#"inances
1. 4. ;. <. =. 8.
An o#"inance to e *ali" +!st con)o#+ to the )ollo$ing ca#"inal #!les& It +!st e in ha#+on% $ith the Constit!tion/ la$s an" stat!tes as $ell as gene#al '#inci'les o) la$ an" e7!it%: in a sense/ +!st e consistent $ith '!lic 'olic% an" +!st not cont#a*ene h!+an #ights. It +!st e enacte" in goo" )aith/ in the '!lic inte#est/ an" "esigne" to enale the LG2 to 'e#)o#+ its )!nctions. It +!st eten" onl% to s!>ects o# +atte#s $hich a#e $ithin the 'o$e#s o) the sangg!nian to enact. It +!st e #easonale in its te#+s. It +!st not e 'a#tial o# "isc#i+inato#%. It +!st not #est#aint/ !t +a% #eg!late t#a"e. It +!st e a"o'te" % an a!tho#i0e" sangg!nian/ legall% con*ene".
. Ste's in Enacting O#"inances an" Resol!tionsThe Local Legislati*e P#ocess #e)e# to Tool 4(Local Legislati*e P#ocess3 The )ollo$ing a#e the '#oce"!#al ste's in enacting o#"inances an" #esol!tions& Phase 1. Int#o"!ction o# S'onso#shi' Ste' 1. The +eas!#e is le" % a sangg!nian +e+e# o# g#o!' o) +e+e#s $ith the sec#eta#% in its "#a)t )o#+. Ste' 4. The sec#eta#% #eco#"s the "#a)t +eas!#e in a logoo, $ith the )ollo$ing in)o#+ation& o Na+e o) the a!tho#a!tho#s o Title o) the '#o'ose" o#"inance o# #esol!tion o Date le"/ an" o The n!+e# assigne" to it. Ste' ;. The title o) the +eas!#e is #ea" on #st #ea"ing. I) a +eas!#e is '#o'ose" % a co++ittee an" '#esente" $ith a #e'o#t/ it nee" not go th#o!gh #st #ea"ing !t is sche"!le" )o# secon" #ea"ing. Ste' <. The '#esi"ing oce# assigns the +eas!#e to a co++ittee that $ill st!"% it. Phase 4. Co++ittee Delie#ation an" Action Ste' =. The co++ittee con"!cts a +eeting an"o# hea#ing to hea# the a#g!+ents )o# an" against the +eas!#e. These can e atten"e" % +e+e#s o) go*e#n+ent agencies an" nongo*e#n+ental o#gani0ations. Ste' 8. The co++ittee ta,es action % #e'o#ting o!t the +eas!#e. The co++ittee action is eithe# )a*o#ale o# !n)a*o#ale. o I) )a*o#ale/ #e'o#t is s!+itte" to the co++ittee on #!les $hich calen"a#s the +eas!#e )o# secon" #ea"ing. o I) !n)a*o#ale/ +eas!#e is lai" on the tale/ the a!tho# o# a!tho#s a#e gi*en notice stating #easons )o# the action. o To ens!#e that all +eas!#es a#e acte" !'on $itho!t "ela%/ co++ittees +a% e +an"ate" % the inte#nal #!les to '#e'a#e a #e'o#t $hethe# action on a +eas!#e is )a*o#ale o# !n)a*o#ale. This $ill ens!#e no +eas!#e is le)t !nacte" an" !il" the ci*il societ% g#o!'s6 t#!st in the since#it% an" ca'acit% o) the sangg!nian to a""#ess co++!nit% iss!es an" '#ole+s. Phase ;. Sangg!nian Delie#ations Ste' . The +eas!#e is #ea" in its enti#et% on secon" #ea"ing "!#ing a session. Ste' @. The co++ittee that st!"ie" the +eas!#e s'onso#s it on the oo# % e'laining the nat!#e o) the +eas!#e an" #eco++en"ing its a''#o*al % the o"%. =BPage
Ste' 9. The +eas!#e is s!>ecte" to "eate an" a+en"+ents. Ste' 1. The sec#eta#% '#e'a#es co'ies o) the +eas!#e inco#'o#ating the a+en"+ents an" "ist#i!tes these to the +e+e#s at least th#ee "a%s e)o#e its thi#" an" nal #ea"ing. Phase <. Thi#" Rea"ing an" Final oting Ste' 11. The +eas!#e is *ote" !'on on thi#" #ea"ing in the session. o A 7!o#!+ +!st e '#esent e)o#e *oting is ta,en. o The n!+e# o) those $ho *ote" )o# an" against is #eco#"e". o The +eas!#e is "ee+e" a''#o*e" % the sangg!nian. The sec#eta#% ce#ties the +eas!#e co##ect an" the '#esi"ing oce# signs it e)o#e it is t#ans+itte" to the LCE )o# a''#o*al. Phase =. A''#o*al an" Re*ie$ Ste' 14. The a''#o*e" +eas!#e is '#esente" to the LCE )o# action. The LCE +a% a''#o*e o# *eto the o#"inance. o I) the LCE a''#o*es the +eas!#e/ heshe aes hishe# signat!#e on each an" e*e#% 'age o) the +eas!#e o I) it is *etoe" % the LCE/ the +eas!#e is #et!#ne" to the sangg!nian )o# #econsi"e#ation. o The *eto shall e co++!nicate" to the sangg!nian $ithin 1= "a%s in the case o) the '#o*ince/ an" 1 "a%s in the case o) cit% o# +!nici'alit%: othe#$ise/ the o#"inance is "ee+e" a''#o*e" as i) the LCE ha" signe" it. o The sangg!nian +a% o*e##i"e the *eto $ith a t$o thi#"s *ote o) its +e+e#s +a,ing the o#"inance o# #esol!tion legal an" in"ing. Ste' 1;. An a''#o*e" o#"inance o# #esol!tion goes to a highe# le*el sangg!nian )o# #e*ie$. o An o#"inance o# #esol!tion )#o+ a co+'onent cit% o# +!nici'alit% shall e #e*ie$e" % the '#o*incial sangg!nian th#ee "a%s a)te# its a''#o*al. o An o#"inance o# #esol!tion o) a sangg!niang a#anga% shall e s!+itte" )o# #e*ie$ $ithin 1 "a%s a)te# its enact+ent. o I) no action is ta,en % a highe# le*el sangg!nian $ithin ; "a%s a)te# s!+ission o) an o#"inance o# #esol!tion/ it shall e "ee+e" *ali". Phase 8. P!lication an" E-ecti*it% Ste' 1<. The sec#eta#% shall o#"e# the 'osting o) the o#"inance o# #esol!tion in a !lletin oa#" at the ent#ance to the cit% o# +!nici'al hall o# at the '#o*incial ca'itol: an" in at least t$o cons'ic!o!s 'laces in the LG2 conce#ne" not late# than *e "a%s a)te# its a''#o*al. o The tet o) the o#"inance o# #esol!tion shall e "isse+inate" in Pili'ino o# English an" in the Phili''ine "ialect !n"e#stoo" % the +a>o#it% o) the 'eo'le. o 2nless othe#$ise state" in the#ein/ the o#"inance shall ta,e e-ect ten "a%s )#o+ the "ate a co'% o) it is 'oste". o O#"inances $ith 'enal '#o*isions shall e 'oste" )o# a +ini+!+ o) th#ee consec!ti*e $ee,s/ an" '!lishe" in a ne$s'a'e# o) gene#al ci#c!lation $ithin the te##ito#ial >!#is"iction o) the local go*e#n+ent !nit conce#ne" ece't in the case o) a#anga% o#"inances. 2nless othe#$ise '#o*i"e" the#ein/ the o#"inance shall ta,e e-ect on the "a% )ollo$ing its '!lication/ o# at the en" o) the 'e#io" o) 'osting/ $hiche*e# occ!#s late#. I. W GET CITIENS INOLED?
8BPage
The sangg!nian +!st get citi0ens an" ci*il societ% o#gani0ations to acti*el% 'a#tici'ate in legislati*e acti*ities eca!se& 5 The '#i*ate secto# an" CSOs ha*e access to #eso!#ces K #esea#ch ase" in)o#+ation/ ti+e/ sta- an" )!n"s K that +a% e !se)!l to 'olic%+a,ing. 5 It is the #ight o) citi0ens to e hea#". 5 It is the #ight o) citi0ens to e cons!lte" % thei# electe" ocials on +atte#s o) '!lic inte#est. 5 It is the #ight o) citi0ens to o#gani0e the+sel*es into g#o!'s to 'a#tici'ate in local go*e#nance. 5 CSOs ha*e the a"*antage o) ha*ing a net$o#, an" the #eso!#ces to assist in the +onito#ing o) the secto#s/ e.g. $o#,e#s/ %o!th/ etc. Getting g#o!'s in*ol*e" in legislation can enet the sangg!nian eca!se& 5 CSOs es'eciall% 'eo'le6s o#gani0ations ha*e "i#ect lin,s $ith the g#ass#oots eca!se o) the se#*ices the% '#o*i"e to the co++!nit%/ e.g. health/ e"!cation/ a+ong othe#s. It is the #es'onsiilit% o) the sangg!nian to +a,e citi0ens a$a#e o) the +echanis+s an" *en!es $hich allo$s the+ to 'a#tici'ate in legislati*e "ecision(+a,ing. These incl!"e& 1. Co++ittee +eetings((2nless "ecla#e" as close"("oo# eec!ti*e +eetings/ co++ittee +eetings a#e gene#all% o'en to the '!lic. The% can e +ai+i0e" % estalishing lin,s $ith conce#ne" secto#s an" in*ol*ing the+ in co++ittee "elie#ations on a +o#e #eg!la# asis. 4. Co++ittee hea#ings((Co++ittee hea#ings a#e also calle" '!lic hea#ings eca!se thei# '!#'ose is to cons!lt sta,ehol"e#s an" e'e#ts in the LG2 on '#o'ose" o#"inances o# on +atte#s #ele*ant to legislation. These legislati*e +atte#s sho!l" not e li+ite" to consi"e#ation o) ta +eas!#es !t incl!"e all othe# +eas!#es that +a% a-ect the LG2. The '#ocess can e )!#the# +ai+i0e" % the sangg!nian % gi*ing the conce#ne" secto#s o# sta,ehol"e#s ti+el% in)o#+ation an" a"*ice '#io# to the hol"ing o) co++ittee hea#ings/ e.g. co++ittee hea#ing sche"!le/ agen"a/ an" a"*ice to '#e'a#e '#esentation +ate#ials o# 'osition 'a'e#s. ;. Acc#e"itation While acc#e"itation o) NGOs is not a #e7!i#e+ent )o# 'a#tici'ation in legislati*e acti*ities/ acc#e"itation is a goo" o''o#t!nit% )o# the sangg!nian to H,no$ $ho "oes $hat in the NGO co++!nit%. This $ill +a,e it easie# )o# the sangg!nian to i"enti)% g#o!'s the% can ta' )o# thei# e'e#tise in #esea#ch/ $#iting/ o# si+'l% )o# in)o#+ation. This +echanis+ can e )!#the# i+'#o*e" % a"o'ting #!les an" '#oce"!#es to enco!#age CSOs to get acc#e"itation an" to '#o*i"e )o# a s%ste+ o) contin!ing acc#e"itation o) CSOs. o$e*e#/ the lac, o) acc#e"itation sho!l" not e an ostacle )o# the sangg!nian to ta' CSOs )#o+ 'a#tici'ating in sangg!nian acti*ities.
BPage
