Quezon brings provincial lawmaking closer to towns through SPUB

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino Quezon provincial board members gather at General Nakar Municipal Hall for the inaugural SPUB program on July 20. (Q...

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino

Quezon provincial board members gather at General Nakar Municipal Hall for the inaugural SPUB program on July 20. (Quezon PIO)

GENERAL NAKAR, Quezon — Bringing provincial decision-making directly to one of Quezon’s most geographically isolated towns, the provincial board launched the first Sangguniang Panlalawigan Ugnayan Bayan (SPUB) in General Nakar on July 20 alongside its 54th regular session. The program combined formal deliberations with face-to-face consultation between provincial and municipal officials.

Following the session, representatives from the Office of the Vice Governor, Provincial Legal Office and Provincial Human Resource Management Office met with General Nakar officials during the open forum. Municipal councilors used the discussion to seek guidance on legal requirements, administrative procedures and governance concerns affecting local governments.



Vice Gov. Anacleto A. “Third” Alcala III said the program grew from indicators showing gaps in how municipal legislation reaches the provincial board. He said in-person visits would allow provincial officials to understand how those problems unfold at the local level.

“Alam naman natin na sa malalayong lugar, nagiging hadlang ang distance. Ang goal ng Sanggunian ay ilapit ang Sanggunian sa inyo. Kung ano po ang nagiging problema sa inyong bayan sa pag-transmit o validation ng ating mga ordinansa at resolusyon, iyon po ang goal nating maitama. Kaya kailangan namin kayong puntahan personally at makinig mismo sa inyo,” Alcala said.

Alcala said resolving legislative concerns requires provincial and municipal offices to examine their respective responsibilities. He stressed that residents ultimately bear the consequences when unresolved coordination problems affect local policies and services.

“Ano ba ang nagiging problema sa parte namin o sa parte ninyo? Ang ating hangarin ay matukoy ito dahil, at the end of the day, ang mga apektado naman ay ang pinaglilingkuran natin. Kaya tinitingnan natin ang mga gaps na kailangang matugunan,” Alcala said.

General Nakar’s municipal council attended with nearly complete representation and joined provincial lawmakers during the discussions. Philippine Councilors League-Quezon Chapter president and ex officio Board Member Aileen Malabanan-Dellosa welcomed their participation and described the exchange as an opportunity for local legislators to learn from one another.

“Sana po ay ang ating mga natalakay ay nakadagdag sa kaalaman ng mga konsehal natin. Magagamit po natin ito sa pagbalangkas ng mga ordinansa sa ating mga bayan-bayan. Sana rin ay naging makabuluhan ang pagkakataong makasalamuha muli ang ating mga kapatid na konsehal sa lalawigan ng Quezon,” Malabanan-Dellosa said.

Malabanan-Dellosa also announced the PCL celebration scheduled from Sept. 1 to 7 and said the national organization would provide guidance for local activities. Municipal chapters are expected to conduct programs throughout the weeklong observance.

“Ini-encourage po tayo na magbalangkas ng mga ordinansa na may kinalaman sa pagpapatatag ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa ating mga OFW. Kasama na rin dito ang pag-revisit natin sa mga umiiral na ordinansang may kinalaman sa kanila,” Malabanan-Dellosa said.

Board Member Thelma P. Aumentado welcomed her colleagues to her home municipality and highlighted General Nakar’s participation in the provincial outreach. Aumentado represents Quezon’s Indigenous Peoples, particularly the Dumagat communities of General Nakar.

Before adjournment, the provincial board passed a resolution thanking the municipal government and residents of General Nakar for supporting the session and open forum. Provincial lawmakers said the outreach would continue in other towns, expanding direct legislative consultation across Quezon.