DELOS REYES, RHONA GRACE A.

MPA 628- LOCAL GOVERNMENT & DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

PROF. USEC. TONI UMALI

Instruction: Prepare a Reaction Paper regarding the Senate Committee Hearing in relation to the
implementation of Local Government Code of 1991 as guided by the following questions:

1. Enumerate at least three (3) issues and concerns that were raised during the Senate
Committee Hearing in relation to the implementation of Local Government Code of
1991.

The proposed bills relative to the amendment of RA7160 or the Local Government Code
were heard before the Senate last Saturday, June 20, 2020. It was chaired by Senator
Francisco Tolentino. Said bills are as follows:

 Senate Bill No. 1579 or the 21 st Century Schools Board Act proposed by Senator
Win Gatchalian
 Senate Bill No.396 Expanding the Purposes and Application of the Special
Education Fund proposed by Senator Bong Go
 Senate Bill No. 1124 Amending Sections of 443, 454 and 463 of the Local
Government Code by Senator Nancy Binay
 Senate Bill No. 1094 or the OFW Family Help Desks Act filed by Senator Lito
Lapid
 Senate Bill No. 844 Enhancing Inter-LGU Cooperation by Senator Sonny Angara
 Senate Bill No.446 or the Rural Health Unit Doctors Incentives and Other
Benefits Act filed by Senator Bong Revilla

2. Give at least one (1) proposal that was mentioned by the Legislators and the Resource
Speakers to address such issues and concerns.

 On Senate Bill No. 1579 or the 21st Century Schools Board Act and On Senate
Bill No.396Expanding the Purposes and Application of the Special Education
Fund

The first bill presented by the proponent himself explored the roles
played by the local government in supporting basic education in the
Philippines. From this assessment, Senator Gatchalian highlighted the need to
reinvent the Local School Board through expanded membership, thereby
making it more participative. The proposed membership of the said bill
indicates a minimum of 13 members adding at least 5 to the current
membership of 8.

This measure was supported by Senator Imee Marcos who suggested

the inclusion of Barangay Chair on Education in the membership, especially
during these times that children cannot go to school and learning materials
 will most likely be delivered to their doorstep through the said barangay
kagawad.

DepEd Undersecretary Usec. Toni Umali also provided valuable

inputs to the said bill, stating that here should be clarity in the LSB selection
guidelines, adding that members should really represent the sector they
represent. Another input that should really be considered in the additional
membership is the reality that most LGUs could not even fill the current
minimum 8 members so it will be much more difficult with the proposed
expansion.

Senator Bong Go on his proposal also specified seeks to expand the

application of the proceeds of the additional 1% Special Education Fund Tax
to other items relating to education as the LGC provides that the SEF shall be
used as funding for LSB-related expenses alone. The lawmaker added that he
wishes to fund the Alternative Learning System from the Special Education
Fund.

 On Senate Bill No. 1124 Amending Sections of 443, 454 and 463 of the Local
Government Code

The proposal of Senator Binay aims for the creation of a plantilla position
for Tourism Officers in areas where there is a significant industry. Among the
commenters is Asec. Maria PazAbubakar who noted that the proposal was
already included in the Tourism Act of 2009, however, DOT supports the bill
since the existing law needs intensified implementation.

Senator Marcos also expressed support to the said bill, however reminded
the body to determine if there is just a question of enforcement to avoid
redundancy. She also suggested that the term significant industry be defined to set
some parameters.

The proponent Sen. Binay reiterated the need for this law as the creation
of positions would entail additional cost for LGUs and that not all LGUs consider
tourism as their most significant industry.

 On Senate Bill No. 1094 or the OFW Family Help Desks Act

Since the proponent was not present during the session, the chairman
provided an overview, that the bill seeks to require the establishment of an OFW
Family Help Desk where families of OFWs can seek assistance in the forms of
counseling and livelihood opportunities, among others.

POEA Atty. Geraldine Mendez reported that the proposal was already
stipulated in RA 1022 or the Migrant Workers Act as amended, but rather showed
support and pointed out some points for the improvement of the bill such as the
provision on employees and funding.
 The DOLE Undersecretary also said that the bill is a welcome
development, and suggested that the assistance be all throughout the OFW
employment, from pre, during and post employment.

With the passing of this bill, the representative from OWWA reiterated
that OFW Desk Officers will be their conduit for the smooth delivery of their
services to OFW families.

 Senate Bill No. 844 Enhancing Inter-LGU Cooperation by Senator Sonny

Angara

This bill as presented briefly by Sen. Tolentino, seeks to add Section 33-
A as a provision that would allow LGU cooperative undertakings among
local government units through a formation of alliance with legal
personality.

Mr. Imbunan, a representative from the Public-Private Partnership

(PPP) Center showed support as this will be assist the local governments
in technically and financially.

In addition, DILG Representative furthers that smaller LGUs will

get a chance to take on big ticket projects that would eventually help in
boosting the economy.

 On Senate Bill No.446 or the Rural Health Unit Doctors Incentives and Other
Benefits Act

The aim of this bill is already apparent in the title which is to provide
more benefits to the doctors assigned in low class municipalities.

As expected, the DOH showed support and read their position paper
which states that this bill when passed may attract doctors to serve in unserved
areas. However, there are already two policies in place such as the DTTB or
Doctors to the Barrio Program which provides a national rate for doctors
amounting to 85,074 pesos the other is the Magna Carta for Public Health
Workers entitling doctors for financial and non-financial benefits.

Gov. Dax shared their LGU’s experience with the doctors they hire who
then find out and compare their salary with that of DOH doctors so they leave
eventually so it was suggested that the salaries of these doctors be at par with that
of the national-employed doctors.

3. As a student of this course, and as a Public Administrator, do you agree with these
proposals? Why or why not?
 On the Education-related laws, I agree with Usec. Umali as I have witnessed,
in fact our office has assisted in creation of different local special bodies such as the
School Board and it is indeed quite challenging for LGUs to fill the positions. It
would be a very good law however if all LGUs can meet all the requirements as it
would result in participative governance that would provide real solutions to real
problems related to education. I also stand with the expansion of the use of the SEF
so that the LGUs can really utilize them without restriction to provide solutions to the
immediate needs relating to education.

As a DILG Officer, I have experienced assessing an LGU in various areas of

governance through the Seal of Good Local Governance. One of the indicators of the
said assessment is the appointment of a Tourism Officer if the LGU declared that
Tourism is of significant industry. This has been an issue for both the LGUs and
assessors as there is no parameter that would measure the term significant so I concur
with Sen. Marcos on her suggestions.

I guess there is a need as well for the OFW Family Help Desk to make the
services available to OFW families who really need assistance such as those who are
families of abused domestic helpers, displaced factory workers and others who are ill-
treated abroad.

The inter-LGU cooperation is also a good proposal that would allow the
underdog local governments to have a fair game in the competition. It is high-time
that this bill is needed especially that most lower class LGUs now run out of budget
due to the financial assistance provided for the people affected by the pandemic.

Lastly, the incentives and other benefits for the rural health doctors are also
necessary and I agree that these benefits should also be extended to all health workers
such as rural nurses, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, midwives and Barangay Health
Workers, especially now that they have so much weight on their shoulders because of
COVID-19.

All in all, the bills presented and analyzed have good intentions but substance
and further improvement based on the suggestions of stakeholders should all be
considered for refinement and proper implementation once they become laws.