The Department of the Interior and Local Government – National Capital Region (DILG-NCR) organized a regional orientation activity on the Local Legislative Award (LLA) on July 27, 2023 via Zoom.

The orientation brought together 17 representatives from each City and lone Municipality within the NCR, including officials from the DILG Field Offices, the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines (VMLP), and Secretaries for the Sanggunian.

The LLA is a highly coveted term-based award conducted in partnership with the Philippine Councilors League (PCL). Remarkably, Quezon City had been the recipient of the award in the past two LLA national awards.

In her opening address, Atty. Ana Lyn R. Baltazar-Cortez, CESO V, Assistant Regional Director (ARD) of DILG-NCR, warmly welcomed the participants to the orientation and acknowledged the important work and dedication shown by the participants during the evaluation period.

“The evaluation period spans from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2022. Through this process, we will assess how our Sanggunians managed and handled the challenges they encountered. The role of our Sanggunians is crucial, and we will highlight the best practices and innovations they adopted, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” ARD Atty. Baltazar-Cortez remarked, drawing attention to the period of evaluation during which the pandemic was at its peak.

ARD Atty. Baltazar-Cortez further underscored the significance of the LLA in giving due recognition to the work LGUs undertook which had and continue to have a profound impact on the lives of ordinary Filipinos and their local communities well into the future.

As part of the program, LGOO VI Charlotte G. Publico, Assistant Division Chief of the Local Government Monitoring and Evaluation Division (LGMED), explained the evaluation procedures, the composition and functions of the Regional Awards Committee (RAC), the awarding criteria, and the schedule of activities covering the upcoming data-gathering operations and on-site validation.

Following LGOO VI Publico’s presentation, LGOO VI Charizza A. Laccay, LLA Focal Person, reported on the required Means of Verification (MOVs), pertinent documents, and other necessary requirements to make LGUs eligible for consideration by the LLA. The objective is to officially recognize the city and municipal sanggunians that excel in enacting ordinances or resolutions that result in desirable socio-economic and environmental outcomes.

Closing the event, LGMED Division Chief Raymond Gerard E. de Asis expressed his gratitude to the attendees for giving priority to the LLA. Chief De Asis conveyed the DILG’s enthusiasm over the return of the LLA after a hiatus necessitated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We want to refresh everyone on the indicators, the process, and the necessary documentation to ensure a successful LLA,” Chief de Asis said, emphasizing the importance of document submission for the LLA.

The tasks of the Local Government, alongside other concerned government bodies, are founded on the legislative authority vested in the Sanggunian. This includes collecting fees, drafting regulations, zoning, and authorizing budgets, among others.

“Napakarami pong outputs ng Local Government Units na nakasalalay sa legislative action (There are many outputs by the Local Government that is dependent on legislative action). That is what we want to emphasize and recognize,” de Asis concluded.

The Department pledges its full support to the upcoming awarding, which will recognize the exemplary performance of city and municipal sanggunians for their legislative measures, contributing to meaningful local administration and development. #