The Bacolod City Council has unanimously approved on third and final reading City Ordinance No. 1104 or the Ordinance Creating Additional 30 Positions of Local Legislative Staff Officer I, in the Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The measure was authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito and co-authored by Councilors Israel Salanga, Em Ang, Jude Thadeus Sayson, Jason Villarosa, Celia Matea Flor, Roberto Rojas, Dindo Rojas, Psyche Marie Sy, Homer Bais, Al Victor Espino, Lady Gles Gonzales-Pallen, and Dandina Marie Barzo.
The ordinance creates 30 new positions of Local Legislative Staff Officer I, to strengthen the workforce of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Two additional LLSO I staff will be assigned to each SP member to complement the existing technical assistants of the Vice Mayor and the City Councilors. These positions are confidential in nature and co-terminus with the tenure of the council members they serve.
The original numbers of technical assistants of each councilor were only three for more than 30 years, and this is the first time that additional staff is added to each office.
Distrito stressed “The volume of documents, research, and coordination required of each councilor has increased tremendously. With additional technical staff, we can strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in crafting laws and policies that directly benefit Bacolodnons.”
He added, “This is not about adding bureaucracy but about ensuring that our legislative output and public service keep pace with the needs of our fast-growing city.”
Ramos explained that more capable staff means better research, more thorough committee work, and quicker response to constituents’ concerns.
Flor also said that “this ordinance reflects our shared commitment to good governance and the delivery of quality legislative services for every Bacolodnon.”
The ordinance was recently approved unanimously by the entire city council.*
