The Benguet provincial board has approved an ordinance institutionalizing the continuing legislative education once in every quarter of the year for all councilors from the 13 towns of province.
Board Member Nestor Fongwan Jr., author of the ordinance and president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Benguet chapter, said the conduct of the program would empower and promote the welfare of the PCL members.
The program would help the councilors to be more effective and efficient legislators in support of improving their local government’s performance.
“The province of Benguet recognizes the important role of the councilors in the total development of the province,” Fongwan said.
The program would also be a forum for the councilors to ventilate matters involving local legislative concerns; and to formulate, implement, and coordinate various programs beneficial for their upgrade in eventually leading their constituents.
It would also serve as a forum to forge linkages with government and non-government organizations to promote social, economic, and political well-being of the municipalities.
The PCL will oversee the implementation of the program, which is primarily concerned for the general welfare of its members.
The program may include lectures, workshops, discussions, planning sessions, and other activities that would update members of the PCL on applicable laws, rules and other matters to ensure efficient governance.
The ordinance stated Section 510 of the Local Government Code provides that the leagues and federations may derive funds from contributions or individual league or federation members or from fund-raising projects.
The LGU concerned may appropriate funds to support the leagues or federation, subject to the availability of funds. —Ofelia C. Empian
April 26, 2024
