The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has announced that it will honor all outstanding city and municipal “Sanggunian” or boards who demonstrated innovation and exemplary practices in local legislation through the 2023 Local Legislative Award (LLA).
“Innovative local legislation is a conduit to excellent public service. Through the 2023 LLA, we hope to recognize the exemplary contribution of our city and municipal legislative bodies and the enormous role they play in local governance and ultimately, in public service,” DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said in a statement Saturday night.
He added that the 2023 LLA seeks to honor the exemplary performance of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and Bayan for legislating measures that help build impactful local government units’ (LGUs’) administration and development from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2022.
Through DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2023-092, Abalos said Sanggunians will be evaluated using the following criteria: responsiveness of the legislative agenda; availability of legislative documents; effectiveness and efficiency of performance of the Sanggunian; legislative citations and awards; and capacity development of legislators and staff.
“With the LLA, we can inspire local legislators to keep making sound and effective policies that do not only address the needs of their localities but also contribute to realizing the country’s collective long-term vision,” he added.
The LLA is categorized into provincial, regional and national level. In the provincial evaluation, city and municipal sanggunians must satisfy the 80 percent or higher overall performance rating to compete at the regional level.
Meanwhile, at the regional level, sanggunians with a total score of 85 percent and above are qualified to compete at the national level.
Provincial winners will receive a trophy and cash from the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) and Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP) provincial chapters; a trophy and cash from PCL and VMLP regional councils, and a plaque of commendation from PCL and VMLP national offices for the regional winners; and trophy and cash from PCL and VMLP national office and League’s Partners for the national winners.
The awards committee will be chaired by DILG and vice-chaired by PCL and VMLP, with members from the Department of Agriculture, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Budget and Management, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (PNA)