Pasig City, Philippines—The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Center for Governance, empowered the first batch of Sanggunian Members and legislative staff with knowledge, skills and tools through the Course on Effective Local Legislation held on August 26-29, 2025 at the O.D. Corpuz Hall, DAP Building.

The four-day program trained 44 vice mayors, councilors, ex-officio members and legislative staff from seven municipalities and one city to craft innovative, data-driven, responsive, and inclusive policies that can advance development in their localities. Participants deepened their understanding of the vital roles of local legislators, the policy development process, the use of data in policymaking, and the powers and procedures that shape effective local legislation.

CFG-Local Governance and Development Office Director Jannis Montañez expressed the critical role of the Sanggunian in shaping responsive policies that  address today’s  pressing issues. Adding real-world insights, Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad and New Lucena Councilor Liecel Mondejar-Seville shared champion practices on fostering strong executive-legislative  collaboration for effective and sustainable local initiatives.

To apply their learnings, participants drafted ordinances as their final output, which were presented to a panel for review to test their practicality, viability, and stakeholder impact.

Closing the program, CFG Vice President Imelda Caluen underscored the course’s value in building a community of practice committed to advancing a matatag, maginhawa, at panatag na buhay for all Filipinos.