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

A. MEANING AND IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL LEGISLATIONWhat is local legislation?<strong>Local</strong> legislation can be understood in two ways: as power and as a process.<strong>Local</strong> Legislation as power<strong>Local</strong> legislation refers to the power of a local legislative body to make rules in theform of ordinances and resolutions of local application that have the force and effectof law.<strong>Local</strong> Legislation as a process<strong>Local</strong> legislation is the interaction of the local legislative body with the executivebranch, civil society including constituents, nongovernmental organizations and theprivate sector resulting in ordinances and resolutions that promote the developmentof a local government unit (LGU). <strong>The</strong> products or outputs of this interaction areordinances and resolutions.OrdinanceAn ordinance is a local law that prescribes rules of conduct of a general, permanentcharacter. It continues to be in force until repealed or superseded by a subsequentenactment of the local legislative body.ResolutionA resolution is a mere expression of the opinion or sentiment of the local legislativebody on matters relating to proprietary function and to private concerns. It istemporary in character.Why is local legislation important?<strong>Local</strong> legislation is important because it is a powerful, vital tool for:• addressing the problems of the citizens of the LGU5