Village officials relearn simple ordinance writing

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - Even barangay officials are advised to use the simplest words in making resolutions or ordinances. The practice, it seems is not only for journalists but also for barangay officials who, in the process of making ordinances, tend to copy the way lawyers prepare law briefs. But since copies of ordinances are for laymen to understand, lawyer Ronaldo Perez, former City Council secretary said simple terms should be used. Facts contained in an ordinance are the title, explanatory clause, ordaining phrase, the ordinance's body and other clauses. The same principle applies when preparing minutes of meetings. Perez said records of meetings should contain the date, venue, the roll call of officers present during the meeting, the meeting's agenda, discussion, actions done regarding the agenda and the votes taken by officers of the barangay. The City Government, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Community Affairs Division of the Mayor's Office and the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC), Saint Louis University and Sitel sponsored the seminar workshop on ordinance and resolution-preparation process. The workshop aimed to enhance the barangay officials' skills on parliamentary procedures. - Sun.Star Baguio