Sangguniang Panlungsod

The Sangguniang Panlungsod is the local legislative branch of city governments in the Philippines. The term is coined from the Tagalog words "sanggunian" and "lungsod" which means "city council". It passes ordinances and resolutions for the administration of the city. Its powers are defined by the Local Government Code of 1991. It has legislative and quasi-judicial powers and functions.

Composition

Presiding officer

The city vice mayor serves as the presiding officer of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. In the absence of the mayor, a temporary presiding officer is assigned by the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod from among themselves.

Members

The members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, often referred to as councilors are either elected or ex-officio.

The number of elected councilors a city's Sangguniang Panlungsod is composed of is prescribed in its charter. In absence of such a provision, it is then composed of ten elected councilors; on the other hand, if the city also corresponds to a legislative district, it then elects twelve. Some cities also elect their councilors by districts which may also be provided in its charter. In general, cities which are composed of at least two legislative districts, equally divide its elected council seats among its districts.

Of all the cities, Manila and Quezon City have the most number of elected councilors with 36 each, followed by Davao with 24 each.

Similar to the Sangguniang Bayan of municipalities in the Philippines, the Sangguniang Panlungsod also allocates a council seat to the city chapter presidents of the Liga ng mga Barangay, Pederasyon ng mga Sangguniang Kabataan and the IP Representative.

Elected Sangguniang Panlungsod members

Total	District							Cities
	At-large	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th
36		6	6	6	6	6	6	Manila, Quezon City
24		8	8	8				Davao
16		8	8					Antipolo, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Makati, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Taguig, Zamboanga
12		4	4	4				Samal, Sorsogon
		6	6					Bacoor, Calbayog, Caloocan, Las Piñas, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Pasay, Pasig, San Jose del Monte, San Juan, Valenzuela
	12							Baguio, Bacolod, Dasmariñas, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Imus, San Fernando (La Union), Tuguegarao
10	10							Alaminos, Angeles, Bago, Bais, Balanga, Batac, Batangas, Bayawan, Biñan, Bislig, Butuan, Cabanatuan, Cabuyao, Cadiz, Calamba, Calapan, Candon, Canlaon, Cauayan, Cavite, Cotabato, Dagupan, Danao, Dapitan, Digos, Dipolog, Dumaguete, Escalante, Gapan, Gingoog, Himamaylan, Ilagan, Iriga, Isabela, Kabankalan, Kidapawan, Koronadal, La Carlota, Laoag, Lapu-Lapu, Legazpi, Ligao, Lipa, Lucena, Maasin, Mabalacat, Malaybalay, Malolos, Mandaue, Marawi, Masbate, Meycauayan, Muñoz, Naga, Olongapo, Ormoc, Oroquieta, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Palayan, Panabo, Passi, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Sagay, San Carlos (Negros Occidental), San Carlos (Pangasinan), San Fernando (Pampanga), San Jose, San Pablo, San Pedro, Santiago, Silay, Sipalay, Surigao, Tabaco, Tacloban, Tacurong, Tagaytay, Tagbilaran, Tagum, Talisay (Cebu), Talisay (Negros Occidental), Tanauan, Tangub, Tanjay, Tarlac, Toledo, Trece Martires, Urdaneta, Valencia, Victorias, Vigan

Powers, duties, and functions

The Sangguniang Panlungsod, as the legislative body of the city, is mandated by the Local Government Code of 1991 to:

• Enact ordinances
• Approve resolutions
• Appropriate funds for the general welfare of the city and its inhabitants
• Ensure the proper exercise of the corporate powers of the city as provided for under Section 22 of the Local Government Code

Furthermore, the following duties and functions are relegated to the Sangguniang Panlungsod:

1. Approve ordinances and pass resolutions necessary for an efficient and effective city government
2. Generate and maximize the use of resources and revenues for the development plans, program objectives and priorities of the city as provided for under section 18 of the Local Government Code of 1991, with particular attention to agro-industrial development and city-wide growth and progress
3. Enact ordinances granting franchises and authorizing the issuance of permits or licenses, upon such conditions and for such purposes intended to promote the general welfare of the inhabitants of the city but subject to the provisions of Book II of the Local Government Code of 1991,
4. Regulate activities relative to the use of land, buildings and structures within the city in order to promote the general welfare of its inhabitants
5. Approve ordinances which shall ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the basic services and facilities as provided for under Section 17 of the Local Government Code
6. Exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance

References

• COMELEC Resolution 7801. Accessed on December 19, 2009.
• COMELEC Resolution 7801 - Annex C. Accessed on December 19, 2009.
• COMELEC Resolution 7837. Accessed on December 19, 2009.