• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
An ordinance formalizing the broadcast of Sangguniang Panlungsod sessions through Facebook live and establishing policies on data privacy, was passed on first reading recently by the Bacolod Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Authored by Councilor Em Ang, the ordinance said the live broadcasting of Sangguniang Panlungsod sessions commenced during the COVID-19 pandemic as an emergency measure to ensure transparency and public access.
This practice has been continued beyond the pandemic period, although there exists no enabling ordinance or formal guidelines to regulate or support the activity, it said.
It is in the interest of the City to formalize the conduct and regulation of live streaming activities for transparency, accountability, and effective communication with the public, the ordinance said.
The ordinance to be known as the “Broadcast of Sangguniang Panlungsod Sessions via Facebook Live Ordinance,” provides that the Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, in coordination with the Public Information Office, will be responsible for the live broadcasting of the sessions.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod shall ensure the presence of a dedicated technical personnel to operate the equipment and handle the live stream, while the Office of the Public Information Office shall oversee the content, quality, and accessibility of the broadcasts.
The session shall be conducted in accordance with the rules and procedures governing the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The live broadcast shall include the necessary visual and audio elements to accurately represent the proceedings, such as roll call, discussions, and voting. It shall not include any confidential or classified information unless legally authorized.
The live broadcast shall be conducted in accordance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10173) and relevant related laws and regulations. It shall not disclose any confidential or privileged information as determined by law or the rules of procedure of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Any personnel or actor who violates the provisions of the ordinance, including unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or manipulations of the broadcast, and violations related to data privacy, shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, including sanctions or penalties in accordance with the applicable laws, rules, and regulations governing official conduct and data privacy. Such penalties may include suspension, fine, removal from duty, or other sanctions deemed appropriate by the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The necessary funds for the implementation of the ordinance, including equipment, software, and personnel training, shall be sourced from the annual budget of the City Government of Bacolod.*
