The Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance that would create 30 new legislative staff positions.
All city councilors have co-authored the measure, which was authored by Councilor Caesar Z. Distrito.
Distrito, who chairs the Committee on Human Resource, said that the measure aims to improve the capacity and efficiency of the SP by providing additional technical support to the vice mayor and city councilors. For the past 30 years, each SP member has only had three technical staff, he saud.
“Given the increasing demands, complexity, and volume of our legislative work, it is necessary to provide additional staff to help us serve the people of Bacolod more effectively,” Distrito said.
Under the proposed ordinance, each SP member and the vice mayor will be assigned two additional Local Legislative Staff Officer I personnel to supplement their current technical assistants. These confidential positions are co-terminus with the term of the council members they serve.
Funding for the new positions will be sourced from the Bacolod City General Fund and will be allocated annually in the city budget.
Distrito said that the creation of these positions is not just for the benefit of the councilors, but is primarily meant to improve the efficiency of legislation, research, and public service.
“This is an investment in better governance,” Distrito said. “More capable staff means more thorough research, faster action, and more responsive legislation for Bacolodnons.”
The ordinance is co-authored by Councilors Israel Salanga, Em Ang, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Jason Villarosa, Celia Flor, Dindo Ramos, Roberto Rojas, Wilson Gamboa Jr., Psyche Marie Sy, Homer Bais, Matea Flor, Al Victor Espino, and Lady Gles Pallen.
The measure will undergo committee hearings before being scheduled for a second reading and further deliberation, Distrito said.*