History of Local Governance from Post-Colonial Period to Present Times | Local Governance |

Summary

This session delves into the history of local governance in the Philippines, spanning from the postcolonial period to the present. The discussion highlights significant legislative milestones such as the enactment of Republic Acts that granted municipalities greater autonomy, the organization of barrio councils, and the evolution of the local government system. Key reforms, including the decentralization of power, are explored, alongside the introduction of local autonomy, which has allowed local government units (LGUs) to make independent decisions. The lecture also touches on the importance of local laws, ordinances, and the hierarchy of legal regulations, culminating in the Local Government Code of 1991.

Takeaways

• 😀 Republic Act No. 1062 (1954) granted municipal councils greater autonomy in preparing municipal budgets, allowing for more independence in financial decisions.
• 😀 Republic Act No. 1245 (1955) amended sections of the revised administrative code, establishing the organizational structure of the Barrio Council.
• 😀 The Barrio Council was composed of a Barrio Lieutenant, deputy baro, and several council members responsible for various sectors such as livelihood, education, and health.
• 😀 The organization of the Barrio Council introduced the concept of elected officials with elections held annually on the third Tuesday of January.
• 😀 Republic Act No. 1408 (1955) expanded voting eligibility for residents of a barrio, specifying that heads of households aged 21 or over could vote if they had lived in the area for at least six months.
• 😀 Before Republic Act 1408, there was confusion in rural areas due to the duplication of government functions, leading to the need for a unified community development approach.
• 😀 Republic Act No. 2259 (1959) made the offices of mayor, vice mayor, and councilors in chartered cities elective positions, establishing a more regulated election system.
• 😀 Republic Act No. 2264 (1959) further increased the autonomy of local governments by reorganizing provincial governments and enhancing their powers.
• 😀 Presidential Decree No. 431 (1974) prescribed a system for continuous registration of barangay members and the creation of new barangays in areas without them.
• 😀 The Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160) decentralized the political and administrative system, shifting power from Manila to local government units for better local governance.

Q & A

What is the significance of Republic Act No. 1062 in local governance?

Republic Act No. 1062, enacted in 1954, granted municipal councils greater autonomy in preparing municipal budgets. This allowed local governments to have more control over their financial decisions, reducing the influence of distant authorities or isolated areas.

What were some of the issues faced by rural areas before Republic Act No. 1408?

Before the enactment of Republic Act No. 1408 in 1955, rural areas faced issues such as duplication of government services, confusion among residents, and organizational friction, which hindered effective community development programs.

How did Republic Act No. 2259 affect chartered cities?

Republic Act No. 2259, enacted in 1959, made the offices of mayor, vice mayor, and councilors in chartered cities elective rather than appointed. It also regulated elections and fixed the salaries and tenure of these officials.

What was the impact of Republic Act No. 2264 on local governments?

Republic Act No. 2264, enacted in 1967, increased the autonomy of local governments and reorganized provincial governments, giving them more control over local affairs and functions.

What was the purpose of Presidential Decree No. 431?

Presidential Decree No. 431 established a system of permanent and continuous registration of barangay members and provided a procedure for creating barangays in areas that did not have one. It aimed to improve administrative efficiency and avoid redundant registration processes.

What change did Presidential Decree No. 557 bring about in the Philippine barangay system?

Presidential Decree No. 557 declared all 'barrio' areas in the Philippines as 'barangays,' standardizing the terminology and formalizing the change in the legal name of these local government units.

How did Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code of 1991) address centralization issues?

Republic Act No. 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, was aimed at decentralizing the highly centralized political system by granting more autonomy to local government units, thus addressing the imbalance of political and administrative power concentrated in Manila.

How do local government units in the Philippines exercise their autonomy today?

Local government units (LGUs) in the Philippines continue to enjoy local autonomy, allowing them to make independent decisions, enact ordinances, and implement programs without undue interference from the central government, while complying with national policies.

What is the hierarchy of laws in the Philippines, and why is it important for local governance?

The hierarchy of laws in the Philippines is as follows: the Philippine Constitution is the highest law, followed by national laws, international treaties, administrative issuances, and local ordinances. This hierarchy ensures that local laws and policies align with the Constitution and higher-level regulations, providing clarity on which laws should prevail in case of conflicts.

What are some examples of the powers and functions of barangay councils as per the Bario Charter Act?

The Bario Charter Act, also known as Republic Act No. 8370, granted barangay councils powers such as holding elections, imposing taxes, legislating ordinances, and determining the tenure and compensation of council members. It also provided mechanisms for the removal or suspension of members for violations of duties.