SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
First Regular Session 
} 
"13 
NOV 21 P 1 :3.5 
SENAYS43 
S.B. No. __ --'-_=-"-
Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A. Aquino IV 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
It is the basic policy of our State to give primordial importance to the autonomy 
of the local government. Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the "Local 
Government Code" aims to provide a more accountable local government structure and 
institute a system of decentralization. 
Section 106 of the Local Government Code mandates each local government to 
have a Local Development Council (LDC) at the provincial, city, municipal or barangay 
level. The LDC is expected to set the directiqn of economic and social development 
within its territorial jurisdiction. At the provincial, city and municipal level, the functions 
of the LDC are to: (1) Formulate long-term, medium-term, and annual socio-economic 
plans and policies; (2) Formulate the medium-term and annual public investment 
programs; (3) Appraise and prioritize socio-economic development programs and 
projects, among others. At the barangay level, the LDC is expected to mobilize people's 
participation in local development efforts and to monitor and evaluate the 
implementation of national or local programs and projects. 
Our laws recognize the significance of multi-sectoral representation and 
participation in the LDe. This is made clear in the Implementing Rules and Regulations of 
the Local Government Code that mandates that the composition of Local Development 
Councils shall include representatives from duly accredited people's organizations (POs), 
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector operating therein. 
Further, NGO representation shall not be less than y,; of the total membership of the 
fully organized council. However, despite the express provisions of our laws and 
implementing rules, many local government units. still do not adhere to them. There are 
also NEDA reports showing that many local special bodies do not meet regularly thus 
minimizing the partiCipation of NGO's and PO's in local governance. 
in any democratic nation, every individual must share in the sovereign power 
and must tre able to participate equally in the government ofthe local body. Each sector 
of a nation must give their voice in the decisions that will affect them all. The local NGOs 
and POs must be given a place in the local councils for rightful representation. The local 
government's goal should support the creation of a better life for its people, echoing the 
voice of the people and help to build resilient and prosperous communities, now and 
over the long term. 
For this purpose, this bill seeks to bolster the noble goals of R.A. 7160 in ensuring 
that the NGOs and POs are made active partners in the pursuit of socio-economic 
welfare in the local autonomy. The bill mandates LDCs to convene at least four times in 


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a year: March, June, September and December. The leagues of LGUs are further 
mandated to monitor such meetings through the Oversight Committee on Local 
Government. Finally, the bill seeks to provide punitive actions to local executives who 
fail to execute such laws. 
In view of the foregoing the approval of this bill is earnestly sought. 
. 
Se""rocti:.:""0~:::: 
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£>HI il'i I 
{;g!h;" nf ili!? i'r-r. d;:l~ II 
SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
} 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
} 
TJ 
NOV 21 
P 1 :36 
First Regular Session 
} 
SENATE 
S.B. No. 
1943 
Introduced by Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" A Aquino 
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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Section 106 of Republic Act No, 7160, otherwise known as the Local 
2 
Government Code of 1991, is hereby amended to read as follows: 
3 
"Sec. 106. CREATION OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS - (a) 
4 
Each local government unit shall have a comprehensive multi-sectoral 
5 
development plan to be initiated by its development council approved by 
6 
its sanggunian. For this purpose, the development council at the 
7 
provincial, 
city, 
municipal, 
or barangay 
level, 
shall 
assist 
the 
8 
corresponding sanggunian in the setting the direction of economic and 
9 
social development, and coordinating development efforts within its 
10 
territorial jurisdiction. 
11 
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS 
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SHALL CONVENE THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCILS 
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WITHIN THIRTY,(30) DAYS FROM THEIR ASSUMPTION TO OFFICE. 
14 
THE LEAGUE OF PROVINCES, LEAGUE OF CITIES, LEAGUE OF 
15 
MUNICIPALITIES AND LlGA NG MGA BARANGAY SHALL MONITOR 


4 
1 
COMPLIANCE BY THEIR RESPECTIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS WITH 
2 
THIS SECTION AND SECTION 110 HEREOF. 
3 
THE LEAGUES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS SHALL SUBMIT 
4 
THEIR RESPECTIVE REPORTS TO CONGRESS, THROUGH THE OVERSIGHT 
5 
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS FROM 
6 
THE INITIAL CONVENING OF THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND 
7 
EVERY JANUARY THEREAFTER." 
8 
Sec. 2. Section 110 of the same Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 
9 
"Sec. 110. Meetings and Quorum- AFTER ITS INITIAL CONVENING, 
10 
THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ·SHALL MEET EVERY MARCH, JUNE, 
11 
SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER OF EACH YEAR, or as often as may be 
12 
necessary." 
13 
Sec. 3. A new section denominated as Section 511-A i,s hereby incorporated to 
14 
read as follows: 
15 
"SEC 511-A. FAILURE TO CONVENE THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT 
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COUNCIL UNDER SECTIONS 106A and 106 HEREOF WITHOUT VALID 
17 
GROUNDS SHALL BE PUNISHED WITH SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE FOR A 
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PERIOD OF THIRTY (30) DAYS. SUBSEQUENT VIOLATIONS SHALL BE 
19 
PUNISHED WITH SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE FOR A PERIOD OF NINETY 
20 
(90) DAYS." 
21 
Sec. 4. All laws, decrees, executive ·orders, rules and regulations inconsistent 
22 
with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly. 
23 
Sec. 5. If any part of provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the 
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other parts or provisions thereof shall remain valid and effective. 
25 
Sec. 6 This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in a 
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newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,