The 13th Sangguniang Panlungsod
The Sangguniang Panlungsod is the local legislative branch of city governments in the Philippines. The term is coined from the Tagalog words "sanggunian" and "lungsod" which means "city council". Its powers are deurture its people at a growth rate equal or comparable to other developing communities of the world
Your Sanggunian, shall be characterized by transpa
rency and accountability. seeing to it that our people are continuously aware of what we are doing for their welfare. Most important is public interest over our own. On specific development issues that I discussed earlier during my campaign, may I reiterate my commitment to pursue the ffined by the Local Government Code of 1991. It has legislative and quasi-judicial powers and functions. Composition
Presiding officer
The city vice mayor serves as the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. In the absence of the vice mayor, a temporary presiding officer is assigned by the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod from among themselves. Members
The members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, often referred to as councilors are either elected or ex-officio. The number of elected councilors a city's Sangguniang Panlungsod is composed of is prescribed in its charter. In absence of such a provision, it is then composed of ten elected councilors; on the other hand, if the city also corresponds to a legislative district, it then elects twelve. Some cities also elect their councilors by districts which may also be provided in its charter. In general, cities which are composed of at least two legislative districts, equally divide its elected council seats among its districts. Of all the cities, Manila has the most number of elected councilors with 36, followed by Davao and Quezon City with 24 each. Similar to the Sangguniang Bayan of municipalities in the Philippines, the Sangguniang Panlungsod also allocates a council seat to the city chapter presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay and Pederasyon ng Sangguniang Kabataan. Powers Duties and Functions
The Sangguniang Panlungsod, as the legislative body of the city, is mandated by the Local Government Code of 1991 to:
* Enact ordinances
* Approve resolutions
* Appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants
* Ensure the proper exercise of the corporate powers of the city as provided for under Section 22 of the Local Government Code
Furthermore, the following duties and functions are relegated to the Sangguniang Panlungsod:
1. Approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an efficient and effective city government
2. Generate and maximize the use of resources and revenues for the development plans, program objectives and priorities of the city as provided for under section 18 of the Local Government Code of 1991, with particular attention to agro-industrial development and city-wide growth and progress
3. Enact ordinances granting franchises and authorizing the issuance of permits or licenses, upon such conditions and for such purposes intended to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants of the city but subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code of 1991,
4. Regulate activities relative to the use of land, buildings and structures within the city in order to promote the general welfare of its inhabitants
5. Approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the basic services and facilities as provided for under Section 17 of the Local Government Code
6. Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.
