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

Tool 1Functions, Structure and Composition of CommitteesIn organizing the sanggunian committee system, the following points are important toconsider:1. Functionso <strong>The</strong> functions of committees are determined by the areas of legislation or concerns ofthe sanggunian, e.g. environment and natural resources, women and family.o A committee is required to perform legislative work pertinent to a particular field or issue.<strong>The</strong> jurisdiction of each committee must be defined in the IRP to ensure an efficientlegislative process.2. Structure and Compositiono <strong>The</strong> number and composition of committees of a sanggunian may be determined on thebasis of policy areas defined in 1991 LGC pertaining to duties and functions of thesanggunian or by local law, e.g. the Naga Empowerment Ordinance mandates therepresentation of the Naga People’s Council in the standing committees of thesanggunian.o A standing committee is usually composed of a chair, vice chair and members; and hasusually no more than five members.o <strong>The</strong> sanggunian may appoint the chair of the committees, either directly or indirectlythrough its presiding officer.o Generally, only elected sanggunian members compose the standing committee. In thecase of the <strong>Sangguniang</strong> Panlungsod of Naga, standing committees have tworepresentatives, one from the association of barangays and another from the NagaPeople’s Council, with voice and vote.o Membership in committees is best determined based on the expertise and interests oflocal legislators.o Membership in committees may be limited to a certain number to allow sanggunianmembers to attend to their committee duties in an efficient manner, e.g. a member isallowed to chair no more than two standing committees, or to be a member of no morethan three standing committees.64