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

Tool 5Letter to constituents<strong>The</strong> sanggunian may send out a generic letter to constituents on a regular basis, perhapsmonthly, quarterly or annually. <strong>The</strong> letter should not only highlight the accomplishments ofthe sanggunian but encourage constituents to provide feedback on government programs totheir representatives in the sanggunian.Tool 6Barangay or “Purok” Hopping<strong>The</strong> sanggunian can bring itself literally closer to the people and help generate appreciationof the sanggunian’s work. This can be done by holding regular or special sessions at leastonce in a month in the barangays or in the puroks. This way the sanggunian gets to visit andmeet with the barangay leaders, community leaders and residents more often. Thismechanism can be further maximized by organizing activities as side events that can attractpeople to see and observe the sanggunian session being held in their barangay, e.g. a minitradefair.Tool 7Study Visits for Students<strong>The</strong> sanggunian can contribute to public and citizenship education among the youth byorganizing short visits or tours for students or any group interested in learning about thework of the sanggunian and other key local government officials. This can be done throughan invitation letter encouraging schools to send students to visit the municipal/city hall or theprovincial capitol. During these visits, students get the unique opportunity to interact with keyofficers of the municipal government, and observe first hand a committee hearing orsanggunian session. This kind of exposure helps make the youth aware of the localgovernment’s role and build social consciousness and responsibility among the youth that iscritical to the success of local government programs.285