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

2. Conducting a Sanggunian Session“Be it enacted by the Sanggunian assembled that…” This phrase captures the importance ofthe sanggunian acting as a collegial body in approving an ordinance or resolution. In short,an ordinance can only be valid if enacted by a sanggunian that has assembled in a sessionfor the purpose. <strong>The</strong> conduct of sessions therefore is an important activity of the sanggunianand must be guided by clear procedures.A session refers to a single meeting or a series of meetings which may last for one-half dayor for a number of days until the purpose for which the meeting is called is transacted.A basic requirement for the conduct an effective session is an agenda or what is referred toin legislative bodies as the “Order of Business.” <strong>The</strong> Order of Business is simply the orderin which the sanggunian considers items of legislative business.<strong>The</strong> Order of Business contains the following:1. Call to Order. <strong>The</strong> Presiding Officer calls the session to order by banging hisgavel and saying, “<strong>The</strong> session is called to order.”2. National Anthem and Invocation. This is optional for legislative bodies.3. Roll Call. This is done to determine if a quorum exists. A quorum is the numberof sanggunian members who must be present at a particular session to legallytransact legislative business.4. Privilege Speech. In this part, any member of the sanggunian may speak onany matter of general interest.5. Question Hour. This refers to the appearance of a department head before thesanggunian to answer questions on any matter pertaining to his department.124