With the end vision of improving the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the local legislators of the Province of Zambales, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Zambales, under the leadership of Dir. Armi V. Bactad, CESO V, conducted the “Seminar on Local Legislation: Enriching The Capacities of Local Officials Towards an Effective Local Legislation” on November 18-20, 2019 at Vista Marina Hotel And Resort,Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ).

The seminar, which is conducted in cooperation with the Zambales chapters of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP) and the Philippine Councilors League (PCL), had more than a hundred participants which included vice mayors and sangguniang bayan members from the thirteen municipalities of Zambales.

Topics on budget preparation and limitation, local legislation, recent opinions from DILG and jurisprudence from the Supreme Court and etc. were discussed by Ms. Jenina Pineda, Supervising Budget and Management Specialist, Atty. Charmaine Jacqueline I. Paulino, DILG Region III Legal Officer and Atty. Ofelio A. Tactac, Jr., CESO V, DILG Aurora Provincial Director. Various programs, projects and activities (PPAs) of the DILG was also discussed by PD Bactad.

 

DILG Regional Director Julie J. Daquioag, Ph.D., CESO III also graced the activity. RD Daquioag, on her message, emphasized the critical role of the local legislators in local governance and in local development. She also recognized the efforts of all the 13 LGUs of the Zambales for being compliant to the President’s directive to reclaim all public roads that are being used for private ends. RD Daquioag lay emphasis on the roles of the Sangguniang Bayan in the formulation of plans. She likewise advocated Disiplina Muna campaign of the Department and encourage local officials to undertake relevant advocacy activities promoting the culture of discipline among their constituents and stakeholders.

Studies on decentralization and local autonomy have emphasized the importance of enhancing the efficiency of sanggunian performance toward local development. The seminar workshop on local legislation is being conducted by DILG as part of its Newly Elected Officials (NEO) Program, which aims to further hone the skills of local officials to effectively and efficiently implement their duties.