By Dominic B. dela Cruz
Staff reporter
Batac City—This city’s Sangguniang Panlungsod ranked 6th overall in this year’s best Local Legislative Awards (LLA) search.
Representing the Ilocos Region for the second time, Batac topped the 2015 Region I Best LLA search; besting San Fernando, Dagupan, Alaminos, Vigan, Urdaneta, San Carlos and Candon Cities.
The cities of Kabankalan, Tacurong, Dapitan, Ilagan and San Fernando in Pampanga took the top five places in that order. Batac, Bislig, Dasmariñas, Calapan, Tabuk, Gingoog and Mati took 6th to 12th places, also in that order.
Outgoing Batac Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Ronald Allan M. Nalupta said he was happy for their placing sixth in the national search. He said this is a testament to their hard work at the council by besting bigger and more progressive component cities.
Mr. Nalupta stressed that this award is one of his major accomplishments in his nine years as vice mayor.
Mr. Nalupta thanked all members of the Batac council; the council secretariat, with special mention to council secretary Gladys Lagura; and to the Batac interior and local government officer Janet Duarte.
He added that the being a national finalist was already a source of pride in itself for all Batac residents. He said this also shows that all the measures they passed were not only timely but more so beneficial to Batac and its people.
Batac has won the provincial LLA search thrice; the regional search twice; and a two-time national finalist.
The PCL established the LLA in partnership with the Dept. of Interior and Local Government. The LLA recognizes the exemplary performances of sanggunians in legislating measures that serves as foundation of meaningful local administration and development.
The 2016 LLA covered the period from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2015.
The LLA also aims to highlight innovations and excellence in the legislative process with the end view of inspiring other local legislators to perform better and institutionalize a system of recognition to the SP and SB for exemplary performance.
Criteria include the effectiveness of the legislative agenda; availability of legislative documents; efficiency of performance of the sanggunian; quality of office set-up and staff complement; legislative citations and awards; and capacity development for legislators and staff.