LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

of the Sangguniang Bayan of the Municipality of Miagao, Province of Iloilo

for Calendar Years 2010-2013

            For the term 2010-2013 the members of the Sangguniang Bayan, as duly elected representatives of the people of Miagao, vow to live up to the mandate and expectations of their constituents hence will pass resolutions and enact ordinances aimed towards the development and progress of the Municipality and the improvement of the quality of life and general welfare of the Miagaowanons.

            As the policy-making body of the Municipality, the Sangguniang Bayan of Miagao pledges its full support and cooperation to the programs and projects of the present local administration as outlined in the twelve-point executive agenda for the years 2010-2013 of our Municipal Mayor, the Honorable Mayor Julieta N. Flores. 

            For the coming three years, from July 2010 until June 2013, the Sangguniang Bayan of Miagao shall promulgate necessary measures to address the following concerns:

1. ON ADMINISTRATIVE GOVERNANCE

1. Revision of the Municipal Revenue Code to boost local income

The existing Municipal Revenue Code shall be revised to reflect new taxes, fees and charges, subject to limitations provided for by law.  Eco-tourism development and promotion shall be given emphasis to increase local income and natural and man-made tourist spots shall be declared and protected through proper legislative action. Public economic enterprises shall also be given priority as well as the development of small and medium level business enterprises.

1. Revision of the Municipal Investment Incentives Ordinance

The existing Municipal Investment Incentives Ordinance enacted on May 03, 2006 shall be revised to encourage more businesses to invest in our municipality and make it more business-friendly. Micro-entrepreneurship shall be given priority with emphasis on women entrepreneurs in consonance with the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) thrust of the gender and development initiatives of the municipality. 

1. Human resource development

The local bureaucracy will be streamlined by evaluating the present organizational structure in response to the challenges of public service. Appropriation ordinances will include sufficient funds for personnel trainings, seminars, conferences and cross-visits to ensure that municipal employees are updated with current trends and practices as public service providers.

1. e-LGU (Electronic Local Government Unit) Program

Adequate amount shall be appropriated for the networking of the various departments with emphasis on real property tax assessment and collection, business permit and licensing systems, tracking and monitoring and electronic new government accounting system (e-NGAS) as well as enhancement of web presence of the LGU to improve the existing municipal electronic structure as a medium of information, transparency and tourism and business promotion.

1. ON SOCIAL SERVICES

1. Enact ordinances providing for quarantine and other preventive and measures for known highly contagious human diseases

An ordinance providing for the quarantine of suspected Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)-infected persons was enacted in the year 2003 in response to the then SARS epidemic affecting at least twenty-seven (27) countries. Recently, other contagious human diseases have sprung hence the August Body deems it necessary to include quarantine and control mechanisms for other diseases as a proactive measure.

2. Revise the Municipal Gender and Development Code by giving emphasis on Women Economic Empowerment

The municipal gender and development code was enacted in 2009.  The said code will be enhanced by emphasizing gender sensitivity and women economic empowerment, especially in developing and providing support for micro-entrepreneurship. 

3. Pass appropriate measures for the enhancement of livelihood projects and programs in support of the indigents and less privileged Miagaowanons

Ordinances and resolutions shall be passed to uplift the economic and social condition of the less privileged and indigent members of the community.  The provision of livelihood opportunities in the form of grants, subsidies or assistance shall be considered in such measures, with emphasis on women economic empowerment, as well as cooperatives on agriculture, fisheries, loom weaving and other home-based industries.

4. Pass appropriate measures for the creation and establishment of Birthing Centers and additional Health and Day Care Centers as well as appropriate funds for the proper training of barangay health and daycare workers

Areas shall be identified for the establishment of birthing centers to decrease infant and maternal mortality by providing timely quality maternal and child care. Additional health and day care centers especially in hinterland communities shall be established in order to make such services more accessible to constituents in remote areas.  Appropriations should be provided for the training of barangay health and daycare/pre-school workers increase efficiency in the delivery of basic health services.

5. Establish through appropriate legislation the Office of Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and Office for Persons with Disabilities Affairs (OPDA)

The OSCA and the OPDA, although operational, exist as skeletal offices. To be able to render adequate services to these sectors, it is necessary that the said offices be institutionalized by establishing them through proper legislation and the provision of sufficient competent personnel.

6. Establish secondary special science classes and enhance the Alternative Learning System (ALS) in coordination with the Department of Education and other concerned agencies

Some elementary schools in the municipality hold special science classes in addition to their regular curriculum and have produced numerous outstanding graduates. However, these outstanding graduates usually proceed to standard curriculum national high schools since secondary schools in the municipality do not have special science classes, except for a few who go to schools outside the town. It is therefore deemed necessary that secondary level special science classes be established in this municipality to provide continuous high quality education to outstanding students. The alternative learning system should also be enhanced to eliminate out-of-school youths.

7. Enact a Municipal Housing Ordinance and revise the Municipal Zoning Ordinance

The municipality has created a Municipal Housing Board pursuant to Municipal Ordinance No. 02, series of 2005 for the sale of the low-cost housing for the BLISS and Habitat-for-Humanity housing projects at the Camp Montelaro area. Cognizant of the need to provide affordable and decent housing for its constituency, a municipal housing ordinance will be enacted to specifically address this need. The Municipal Zoning Ordinance which was enacted in 2002 will also be revised to adapt to the needs of progress and development vis-à-vis sustainable environmental protection.

8. Enact ordinances for the regulation of the placement of equipment and facilities of public utilities such as for power and telecommunications

To maintenance aesthetic orderliness and prevent possible danger to life, limbs and property the placement of equipment and facilities, such as power and transmission lines, will be regulated through appropriate legislation.

1. ON ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

1.  Amend the Municipal Environmental Code and other related legislative measures for the protection of marine, wildlife and watershed areas

In line with the current administration’s thrust towards environmental protection, conservation and preservation, certain coastal areas shall be identified and declared as marine sanctuaries to serve as breeding grounds for fishes and other marine animals, as well as serve as sites for mangrove propagation and the establishment of natural and artificial corral reefs.  This measure is intended to increase the fast-depleting fisheries stock indigenous to the municipality.

Pursuant to the Wildlife Conservation Act, wildlife species indigenous to the municipality shall be identified and protected by means of a local ordinance or through the adoption of the Wildlife Conservation Act.  This measure intends to preserve forest biodiversity and the delicate balance of the forest ecosystem.

Birds and butterflies, being prime agents in the dispersal of flora seeds, shall be equally protected by providing sanctuaries for them wherein it shall be declared illegal to capture or harm such creatures in such areas.

Watershed areas, whose existence are crucial in providing adequate potable water supply to the municipality, shall be identified and protected through the enactment of local regulatory laws or the adoption of national laws such as the National Integrated Protected Areas Act (NIPAs Act).  Aside from providing potable water, watershed areas also increase the natural forest cover and decrease global warming. Watershed areas may also serve as natural attractions to local and foreign eco-tourists.

The Municipal Environmental Code, which was enacted in 2009, will be amended to address the foregoing concerns especially on reforestation, solid waste and waste water management, foreshore area and salvage zone protection.

1. ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

1.  Revision of the Municipal Fishery Code and legislative support for agriculture and agri-based ventures

The Municipal Fishery Code shall be amended and revised for sustainable and maximized yield of fishery resources from municipal waters.  Focus on agriculture and agri-based ventures (such as cacao seedling propagation and distribution, dairy cattle, cattle and swine dispersal, vegetable farming, agricultural/fishery products preservation, etc.) shall be enhanced with proper legislation.

1. Establishment of Fishport and Wharfs body

The Municipal Revenue Code provides for the collection of fees for the use of wharfs and ports services. The municipal port is currently under construction and is expected to be operational within the term of this August Body. Prior to its full operation an ordinance shall be enacted prescribing proper guidelines therefor.

3. Promulgate Other Essential Legislation in Support of the Agenda of the Local Chief Executive

In manifestation of the full support of the Sangguniang Bayan to the Twelve-Point Agenda of the Local Chief Executive, the August Body shall promulgate such measures necessary for the attainment of such agenda, as the need arises. 

xxxxxxx

            ADOPTED this 20^TH day of September, 2010; Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines.

JOSE REY N. NOBLE

Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer