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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
‘134 
tj[ll- -7 
F) 1 :i7 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
1 
G. 
~ 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Francis N. Parigilinan 
EXPLAN AT0 RY NOTE 
Under Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government 
Code of 1991, the State upholds that territorial and political subdivisions of the 
State shall enjoy genuine and meaningful local autonomy to enable them to 
attain their fullest development as self-reliant communities and make them 
more effective partners in the attainment of national goals. Further provided 
under R.A. No. 7160 is the creation bf special bodies to assist the local 
government units (LGUs) in achieving the goals therein provided. Of the five 
special bodies, the Local Development Council (LDC) assumes the most 
importgt role and that i s  to assist the corresponding sanggunian in setting the 
direction in economics and social development, and to coordinate development 
efforts within sanggunian’s territorial jurisdiction (Section 106, Local 
Government Code). Specifically, among the functions of LDC in the provincial, 
city and municipal level are: (1) formulation of long-tern, medium-term and 
annual socioeconomic development plans and policies; (2) formulation of the 
medium-term and annual public investment programs; and (3) appraisal and 
prioritizing socioeconomic development programs and projects. On the other 
hand, the LDC in the barangay level has the following functions, to wit: (1) 
mobilization of people’s participation in local development efforts; (2) 
preparation of development plans based on local requirements; and (3) 
monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of national or local programs 
and projects. 
The creation of LDC encourages the participation of the non- 
governmental organizations (NGO) and people’s organizations (PO) in 
government affairs. 
The participation of NGOs and Pos assures effective 
governance and transparency in government. Their involvement in the affairs 
of the government i s  a true representation of the constituent’s aspirations and 
needs as well. 
For this purpose, Article 6 of the Local Government Code 
Implementing Rules and Regulations (LGCIRR) has set procedures and guidelines 
for the selection and accreditation of representatives of people’s organization, 
nongovernmental organizations in the local special bodies of LGU. 
Despite the noble objective in the creation of LDC and the laws, rules 
and regulations rationalizing i t s  establishment, many LGUs have low NGO and 
PO participation in their development and economic planning as well as in i t s  
other Special Bodies. 
This i s  because local government executives do not 
strictly enforce Article 64 of the LGCIRR, “Procedures and Guidelines for the 
Selection of Representatives of People’s Organization, Nongovernmental 
Organizations, or the Private Sector in Local Special Bodies.” Likewise, NEDA 
reported that many local special bodies do not convene regularly, thus, NGO 
and PO participation in local governance i s  minimized. 


Since the present times are hard, it is opportune to accelerate economic 
and social growth and development at the regional and local levels through the 
coordinated efforts of national and local government officials. Moreso, the 
greater 
participation 
of 
the 
non-governmental 
organizations 
in the 
development planning process i s  needed. 
Accordingly, there is a need to 
strengthen the Local Development Council. For this purpose, this bill seeks to 
amend R.A. No. 7160 to strengthen the power of the LDCs by compelling the 
Local chief executives to convene and organize their respective LDCs. Under 
the proposed bill, LDC shall be mandated to meet four times in a year: 
January, June, September and December, or as often as may be necessary. To 
ensure i t s  compliance, the leagues of LGUs are mandated to monitor and 
submit periodic reports to Congress, through the Oversight Committee on Local 
Government. Further, to give teeth to the spirit of the Law, the proposed bill 
seeks to punish any local chief executive who shall fail to convene accordingly 
the LDC in his territorial jurisdiction. 
In view of the foregoing, the passage of the bill is earnestly sought. 
i 


THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
Introduced by Senator Francis N. Pangilinan 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
AN ACT STRENGTHENING 
THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, 
AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE CERTAIN SECTIONS OF 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7160, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT 
CODE OF 1991, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
Philippines in Congress assembled: 
Section 1. Section 106 of Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the 
Local Government Code of 1991 is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“Section 
106. 
CREATION 
OF 
LOCAL 
DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS. (a) Each local government 
unit shall have a comprehensive multisectoral 
development plan to be initiated by its development 
council and approved by i t s  sanggunian. 
For this 
purpose, the development council at the provincial, 
city, municipal, or barangay level, shall assist the 
corresponding sanggunian in setting the direction of 
economic and social development, and coordinating 
development 
efforts 
within 
i t s  
territorial 
jurisdiction. 
THE 
CHIEF 
EXECUTIVES OF ALL 
LOCAL 
GOVERNMENT 
UNIT 
SHALL 
CONVENE 
THEIR 
RESPECTIVE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS WITHIN 
THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THEIR ASSUMPTION TO 
OFFICE. 
- 
.- 
1- 
THE LEAGUE OF PROVINCES, LEAGUE OF 
CITIES, LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES AND LlGA NG 
MGA BARANGAY SHALL MONITOR COMPLIANCE BY 
THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS WITH 
THIS SECTION AND SECTION 110 HEREOF. 
THE LEAGUES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS 
SHALL SUBMIT THEIR RESPECTIVE REPORTS TO 
CONGRESS, THROUGH THE OVERSIGHT COMMllTEE 
ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS 
FROM THE INITIAL CONVENING OF THE LOCAL 


DEVELOPMENT 
COUNCIL 
AND 
EVERY 
JANUARY 
THEREAFTER. ” 
Sec. 2. Section 110 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
“Section 110. Meetings and Quorum - AFTER 
ITS INITIAL CONVENING, THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT 
COUNCIL 
SHALL 
MEET 
EVERY 
MARCH, 
JUNE, 
SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR, or as 
often as may be necessary.” 
Sec. 3. A new section denominated as Section 511-A is hereby 
incorporated to rZ2d as follows: 
“SECTION 511-A. 
FAILURE TO CONVENE THE 
LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. - ANY LOCAL CHIEF 
EXECUTIVE WHO SHALL FAIL TO CONVENE THE LOCAL 
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL UNDER SECTIONS 106A AND 
106 HEREOF WITHOUT VALID GROUNDS SHALL BE 
PUNISHED WITH SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE FOR A 
PERIOD OF THIRTY (30) 
DAYS. 
SUBSEQUENT 
VIOLATIONS SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH SUSPENSION 
FROM OFFICE FOR A PERIOD OF NINETY (90) DAYS.” 
Sec. 4. 
All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and regulations 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or 
modified accordingly. 
Sec. 5. 
If any part or provision of this Act is held valid or 
unconstitutional, the other parts or provisions thereof shall remain valid and 
effective. 
Sec. 6. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after i t s  publication 
in a newspaper of general publication. 
Approved,