Establishment of the Local

People’s Council

Navigating the Stages of Creating

the Council
 OBJECTIVES

1. Introduce LPC Purpose and Benefits: Familiarize

participants with the purpose and benefits of the LPC
in local governance.
2. Build LPC Formation Skills: Equip participants with
the skills required for effective LPC formation.

3. Establish LPC Framework: Outline the internal rules,

procedures, organizational structure, and setup of the
LPC.

2
OUTLINE

I. What is a Local People's Council?

II. What are its benefits?
III. What skills are necessary to effectively
form the Council?
IV. How will it be organized?

4
 I. WHAT IS A LOCAL PEOPLE'S COUNCIL?

People's Council - a body composed of CSOs that are, at

least, recognized by the LGU

o acts as a CSO lobbying organization that influences

local government plans, initiatives, and policies to
improve responsiveness, transparency, involvement, and
effectiveness.

o serves as a bridge of local residents to voice their

opinions, complaints, and suggestions to the government
on community initiatives.

o help the government develop responsive plans and

programs as well as reaching out to citizens to get
support for its initiatives, projects, and policies.

5
 II. WHAT ARE ITS BENEFITS?

Enhance Community Participation

• Provides a platform for local residents to actively participate

in decision-making processes of the local government

• It serves as a venue where community members can voice

their opinions, concerns, and suggestions regarding local
policies and projects.

Improve Decision-Making:

• LPCs can help local government make decisions based on

local needs and priorities.

• Local residents know community problems and opportunities,

which helps improve decisions.

6
Improve Policy Formulation:

• The involvement of an LPC can lead to more

comprehensive and effective policies.

• Community members can provide valuable insights and

practical knowledge that align LGU policies with the actual
needs of the residents.

Promotes Community Empowerment:

• LPC empowers community members by giving them a

formal role in shaping the development of their locality.

• This empowerment can lead to increased civic engagement

and a sense of ownership over local initiatives.

7
Facilitates Conflict Resolution:

• An LPC can serve as a platform to address conflicts and

disputes within the community.

• By facilitating dialogue and negotiation, the council can help find

solutions that are acceptable to all parties involved.

Ensure Efficient Resource Allocation:

• The LPC can help allocate public funds to community-
supported projects and initiatives with better chances of
success.

8
Broaden Cultural and Social Representation:
• An LPC can provide a space for diverse voices within
the community to be heard.
• This can lead to policies that better reflect the cultural,
social, and economic diversity of the locality.

Build Social Cohesion and Trust:

• An LPC can strengthen the relationship between the
government and the community, fostering trust and
collaboration.

• This can lead to smoother interactions, better

communication, and a stronger sense of partnership.

9
 III. WHAT SKILLS ARE NEEDED TO
EFFECTIVELY FORM THE COUNCIL?

Community Engagement and Facilitation Skills

• Build Strong Community Relationships
Photo: Jane Beesley/Oxfam

• Listen Actively to Community Concerns

• Establish Trust and Rapport with CSOs and LGUs
• Effective Facilitation of Meetings, workshops, dialogues are
essential
– stay neutral, encourage participation and facilitate
consensus decision making

Rural Missionaries of the Philippines

10
Advocacy and Communication Skills
• Articulate CSO and Community Interests
DAI

✔ Persuasive Proposal Writing

✔ Compelling Presentation Skills
✔ Effective Negotiation with Local Authorities
✔ Clear and Persuasive Communication

11
Organizational and Project Management Skills
• Setting Goals and Planning
• Budgeting and Resource Allocation
• Monitoring and Evaluation of LPC performance
• Efficient Logistical Management – funds, resources
• Maintaining records and documentation – members profile,
relevant activities, etc

12
Patience and Persistence:
∙ Patience: Acknowledging that community
development takes time and patience is
important for maintaining motivation.

∙ Persistence: Continuing to work toward

partnership goals despite challenges and
setbacks demonstrates commitment.

13
 IV. KEY STEPS IN ORGANIZING THE LOCAL PEOPLE'S
COUNCIL

Assist LPC
Petition for
Facilitate
LPC
recognition
Facilitate
Establishment
Secure Membership
Official Process
Engage
Notice for
CSOs in
Organize LPC
LPC
a Core Creation
Inventory, Group of
Formation
Understand map, profile Community
CSOs Leaders
the Concept of
a Local
People’s
Council

These steps are subject to modification based on the local

circumstances.

15
 Step-by-Step Guide to Organization of a Local People’s Council

Step 1: Understand the Concept of a Local People’s Council

▪ Gain a comprehensive understanding of what a Local People’s Council

is, including its purpose, benefits to CSOs and the community, and how it
enhances local governance.

▪ Recognize the importance of establishing a strong, credible

organization with a broad membership and capable to effectively
engage with local government.

Step 2: Inventory, map, profile CSOs

• The profiles of each CSOs may show basic information on CSOs’
status, coverage and programs among others.

16
Step 3: Form a Core Group of Community Leaders
• Assemble a core group comprising committed, capable and
credible community leaders.

• Provide an orientation to this core group about the Local People’s

Council and its formation process and identify core group leader.

Step 4: Engage CSOs and Encourage Participation

• Collaborate with the core group to invite CSOs to a meeting
where the concept of the Local People’s Council is introduced.

• Explain the benefits and advantages of having a people’s

council and the process for becoming a member.

17
Step 5: Request Official Notice from Sanggunian
• Coordinate with the local Sanggunian to issue an official
notice or call for the creation of the Local People’s Council.

Step 6: Facilitate Membership Process

• Assist CSOs in submitting necessary requirements for
membership.

• Evaluate qualifications and facilitate issuance of certificate of

authorization from the Sanggunian to qualified members.

18
 Step 7: Facilitate Establishment of the Council

• Together with the core group, facilitate the

establishment of the Council:

▪ Formulate internal rules and procedures*

▪ Elect interim officers
▪ Conduct strategic planning to formulate VMG,
objectives, strategies and action plan

• see sample attached

** the Council operationalization module will cover this.

19
 How to Craft Effective Internal Rules and Procedures?
⮚ designed to ensure efficient functioning, transparency, and fairness within the
people's councils:

1. Membership and Composition

2. Organizational Structure and Committees
3. Meetings and Quorum
4. Agendas and Resolutions
5. Decision-Making and Voting
6. Transparency and Records
7. Code of Conduct and Ethics
8. Public Participation
9. Budget and Finances
10.Amendments to Internal Rules
11.Conflict Resolution
12.Communication and Outreach
 Article 1: Membership and Composition

• Membership is open to all LGU

accredited and recognized CSOs
operating in the locality.
• Members must attend at least two meetings
annually to maintain active status.
• The Council will have a President, Vice
President, Secretary, and Treasurer
elected by members every three years.

21
 Article 2: Organizational Structure and Committees

Admin &
General Assembly Finance

Membership

Board of Directors Execom Cap Bldg

LSBs Support

S E C T O R S

O R G A N I Z A T I O N S
 General Assembly: Roles and Responsibilities

• Approval of code of ethics and conduct, strategic directions and

priorities, governance structures, rules and procedures,
mandates of committees
• Election of officers of the Council
• Selection of representatives to the LSBs and other LGU
functional committees
• Organization of the various committees/ sub committees,
e.g. LSBs support groups:
✔ Local Development (social, econ, envi, infra & institutional)
✔ Education
✔ Health
 Board of Directors

Function

• Implementation of decisions by the GA and report to it as appropriate

• Carries out functions delegated to it by the GA.

Composition

• Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor and Chairpersons/ Heads of Different
Committees and representatives of the various sectors

Roles and responsibilities

• Chair – chairs the session of the Council
• Vice-Chair – assist the Chair in monitoring the operations of committees
• Secretary – maintain records and prepare reports for the Board/ Assembly
 Executive Committee

Function
• Assist the Board by preparing for its decisions on reports and proposals
• Advises the Board on preparations and follow up of meetings; strategic issues and
priorities; and on policy issues
• Carries out the functions delegated to it by the Board, and report to it as appropriate

Members
• Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer
 Local Special Bodies (LSBs) Support Committees
• will act as support groups for the representatives to the various
local special bodies, e.g.

Local People’s Council Local Government

Committee on Local Development Local Development Council

Committee on Education Local School Board

Committee on Health Local Health Board

 LSBs Support Committees: Composition

The Committee on Local Development

composed of representatives from the POs, NGOs, academe and private
sector.

The Committee on Education

representatives from POs, NGOs, academe and private sectors that are
involved or concerned with the education of children and youth.

The Committee on Health

representatives from POs, NGOs, academe and private sectors that are
involved or concerned with public health.

27
 Roles and Responsibilities:
- Committee on Local Development,
- Committee on Health and
- Committee on Education

• Elect the Chair and Vice Chair from among its members,
• Prepare agenda and provide data and information essential to
the formulation of plans, and priority programs and projects of the
concerned committee.
• Conduct consultations with concerned sector and/ or
organizations,
• Monitor the implementation of programs and projects, and
• Report to the Board of Trustees/ GA.
 Sub-Committees

Committee on Local Development has sub-committees representing the 5

development sectors

Committee on Local Development

29
 Social Development

It aims to create equal • Education

opportunities to everyone have • Health and Nutrition
access to basic services, such
as: • Social Welfare and Development
• Shelter
✔ Employment
✔
• Public Order and Safety
health care
✔ Education • Sports, Recreation, Arts and
✔ housing and others. Culture

30
 Economic Development Primary a) Agricultural Crops
b) Livestock
c) Fisheries (Inland, marine,
brackish)
d) Forestry

Secondary a) Mining and quarrying

It aims to give everyone the b) Manufacturing
opportunity to succeed in c) Construction
economic activities suited to d) Electricity, water, gas, utilities
their abilities.
Tertiary a) Wholesale and retail trade
b) Transportation and
communication
c) Finance, insurance and related
services

31
 Infrastructure, Physical
and Land use Economic a) Irrigation
Support b) Power generation (mini-hydro)
Development c) Roads, bridges, ports
d) Flood control and drainage
e) Waterworks and sewerage
f) Telecommunications

Social Support a) Hospitals

b) Schools
It aims to improve facilities c) Public socialized housing
and infrastructure, as well as d) Facilities for the aged, infirm,
land use policies. disadvantaged sectors

Public a) Government buildings

Administrative b) Jails
Support c) Freedom parks and Public
assembly areas

32
 Environmental Management Lands ∙ Lands of the Public domain
∙ Private and alienable and
disposable lands
∙ Ancestral domain

Forest Lands ∙ Protection forests

∙ Production forests
Mineral Lands ∙ Metallic mineral lands
∙ Non-metallic mineral lands
It aims to protect, preserve and
Water resources ∙ Freshwater (ground, surface)
develop the environment.
∙ Marine waters
Air Quality
Waste ∙ Solid waste
Management ∙ Liquid waste
∙ Toxic and hazardous

Parks, wildlife and .

other reservations

33
 Institutional Development

It promotes open, effective, accountable

and participatory governance to ensure
that local government can provide adequate
services to the community

a. Organization and Management of LGU

b. Fiscal Management
c. Legislative Output
d. LGU-Civil Society Organizations – Private Sector linkages

34
 REVIEW
Organizational
General Admin &
Structure and Assembly Finance
Committees Membership
Board of
Directors Execom Cap Bldg

LSBs
Support

S E C T O R S

O R G A N I Z A T I O N S

*Adapted from the Organization and Operationalization of a People’s Council: A Guidebook – Naga City People’s
Council
Organizational Committees General
Assembly

Board of
Directors Execom

Admin and Capacity

Membership
Finance Buiilding

Committee on
Local Committee on Committee on
Development Education Health

Social Dev Economic Infrastructure Environment Institutional

5 Development Sectoral Sub - Committees
 Article 3: Meetings and Quorum

• General assembly will be held once a

year.
• Board of Directors Meeting will be held
at least once every three months.
• Executive Committee meeting will be
held at least once every month.
• A quorum of at least 30% of active
members is required to conduct official
business.

37
Article 4: Agendas and Resolutions
• Members of the concerned body or committee can submit agenda items
to the Secretary at least one week before the meeting.
• The agenda will be circulated to members at least three days prior to the
meeting.

Article 5: Decision-Making and Voting

• Decisions will be made by a simple majority vote of members present,
except for amendments to these rules (requiring a two-thirds majority).
• In case of a tie vote, the President will cast the deciding vote.
• Prior to holding a vote, the consensus decision-making procedure shall be
utilized as much as possible.

38
Article 6: Transparency and Records

• Minutes of meetings will be recorded by the Secretary and

distributed to members within one week after the meeting.
• Official records, including financial reports, will be accessible to members
upon request.

Article 7: Code of Conduct and Ethics

• Members are expected to treat each other with respect and civility
during meetings and interactions.
• Members should disclose any potential conflicts of interest related to
association matters.

39
Article 8: Public Participation
• Non-members may attend meetings as observers but cannot
participate in discussions unless invited by the President.
• A designated time will be provided for public comments and concerns.

Article 9: Budget and Finances

• The Treasurer will prepare an annual budget for approval by the GA.
• Expenditures exceeding ________ must be approved by a majority vote
(indicate which body or committee must authorize the expenditure and the
amount involved)

40
Article 10: Amendments to Internal Rules
• Proposed amendments to these rules must be submitted in writing and
require a two-thirds majority for approval.
• Amendments become effective immediately upon approval.

Article 11: Conflict Resolution

• Disputes among members or concerning association matters will

be addressed by a designated conflict resolution committee.
• If the committee's efforts are unsuccessful, mediation may be sought.

41
Article 12: Communication and Outreach

• The council will maintain a website

and social media presence to inform
members and the community about its
activities.
• Members will actively engage with the
community through events, newsletters,
and collaborations.

42
 Step 8: Petition for Sanggunian Recognition

Assist the council in submitting a petition for Sanggunian

recognition*, outlining the following:
1) Roles and Responsibilities – as provided in the
DILG MC 2021-054
2) Desired support from the LGU such as
- office space, equipment, and financial
assistance to fund capacity building and
organizing to strengthen citizen participation in
local governance processes among others.

* see sample petition attached

43
44
45
46
48