ILOILO – The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved on third and final reading Provincial Ordinance Number 2022-288 establishing the “Search for the Most Outstanding Sanggunian” in the province.
Vice Gov. Christine Garin authored the ordinance whose ultimate goal is to improve the performance of sanggunians.
The following are the mechanics for the search:
* The Sanggunian of the component municipalities and cities shall be evaluated by the Provincial Legislative Awards Committee (PLAC) based on the performances, innovations, and best practices of a local legislative body.
* The search mechanics shall be the basis of the evaluation of each Sanggunian.
* The coverage of evaluation shall be from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of the previous year.
* The evaluation shall start on the third week of January and end on the third week of February.
The winners of the Search for the Most Outstanding Sanggunian shall be awarded during the “Kaadlawan sang Iloilo” every April.
Below are the search mechanics the PLAC members will use as basis:
* presence of legislative agenda
* availability of legislative documents
* effectiveness of Performance of the Sanggunian Bayan/Panlungsod
* efficiency of the performance of Sanggunian
* legislative citations and awards
* capacity development for legislators and staff
* innovations and best practices
The PLAC will be composed of the following:
* Chairman – vice governor of the province of Iloilo
* Vice chairperson – president of the Philippine Councilors League – Iloilo Chapter
* Members – chairperson of the oversight committee, provincial director of the Department of Interior and Local Government, Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Human Resource Management and Development Office, Sangguniang Panlalawigan Secretariat, and one representative from the accredited civil society organization.
The Search for the Most Outstanding Sanggunian will have two categories. Category A will be for city and first to second class municipalities. Category B is for third to sixth class municipalities.
The awards for winners in both categories:
* Champion – P100,000 cash prize and plaque of commendation
* First runner-up – P75,000 cash prize and plaque of commendation
* Second runner-up – P50,000 and plaque of commendation
* Third runner-up – P25,000 and plaque of commendation
The cash award must be exclusively used for the implementation of programs, projects, and activities to further improve the operation of the sanggunian.
An initial P750,000 budget was allotted by the provincial government to establish the Search for the Most Outstanding Sanggunian beginning in 2023./PN
