The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Bacolod City has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance authored by Councilor Caesar Distrito together with all the city councilors as co-authors, creating thirty additional positions of Local Legislative Staff Officer I (LLSO I), Grade 11/Step 1 in the plantilla of the SP.
Distrito, who chairs the Committee on Human Resource, explained that the measure seeks to strengthen the capacity and efficiency of the SP by providing additional technical support to the vice mayor and city councilors. Each SP member, since 30 years ago, has only three technical staff.
“Given the increasing demands, complexity, and volume of our legislative work, it is necessary to provide additional staff to help us serve the people of Bacolod more effectively,” Distrito said.
Under the proposed ordinance, each SP member, including the Vice Mayor, will be assigned two additional LLSO I personnel to augment their existing technical assistants. These positions are confidential in nature and will remain co-terminus with the term of the council members they serve.
The funding for the newly created positions will be sourced from the General Fund of Bacolod City, and appropriated annually in the city budget.
Distrito emphasized that the creation of these plantilla positions is not just for the benefit of the councilors, but primarily for the efficiency of legislation, research, and public service delivery.
The ordinance is co-authored by councilors Israel Salanga, Em Ang, Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Jason Villarosa, Celia Flor, Dindo Ramos, Roberto Rojas, Wilson Gamboa Jr., Psyche Marie Sy, Homer Bais, Matea Flor, Al Victor Espino and Lady Gles Pallen.
“This is an investment in better governance. More capable staff means more thorough research, faster action, and more responsive legislation for Bacolodnons,” Distrito added.
The measure will next undergo committee hearings before being scheduled for second reading and further deliberation.*
