Local Legislators' Toolkit - The Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng ...

Step 1. Identifying and analyzing the problemBefore writing the ordinance, it is essential for the drafter to be clear about what theproblem is and about how he/she is supposed to solve it. This requires the drafter todefine the policy problem by asking the following questions of the proponent:• What end is to be achieved?• What specific problems are involved?• What is the magnitude and extent of the problem?• What specific areas of existing ordinances or laws are unsound, inadequate orwill be affected by addressing the problem?This preliminary step to writing an ordinance is known as policy analysis or simplyproblem analysis. Policy analysis may be defined as a process of identifying thecauses and effects of a problem, generating and prioritizing possible alternatives orsolutions; and specifying which alternatives or options will bring about the maximumbenefit or gain for the least cost. Public policy, on the other hand, generally refers torules for action for addressing public problems and attaining societal goals. <strong>The</strong>y arestatements of intent – what government intends to do about a matter of publicinterest. Public policy comes in several forms depending on which institution ofgovernment makes it. <strong>The</strong>se are:o laws, statutes, ordinances and resolutions, if created by legislativebodies;o executive and administrative orders, if created by executive agencies;o court orders, if created by courts.Policy analysis is a knowledge-intensive process that is useful for sanggunian membersto know even if the technical staff in the sanggunian can do the task. By havingknowledge of basic methods of policy analysis, sanggunian members can better performtheir roles as policymakers and decision-makers committed to producing effectivelegislation.<strong>The</strong> ELA Manual describes several problem analysis methods that can be used by thesanggunian such as fishbone analysis, problem tree, among others.104