Kabayan solon files bill requiring livestream of LGU council sessions
House of Representatives plenary. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — A bill that seeks to require councils in local government units (LGUs) to do livestream during meetings and their sessions to ensure transparency has been filed before the House of Representatives.
In a statement on Thursday, Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo said he filed House Bill (HB) No. 11294 or the proposed Livestreaming of Sangguniang Bayan Sessions Act, so that the people of a particular city or municipality would be aware of what is happening during these meetings.
The bill particularly seeks to amend sections of Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, by inserting a provision for livestreaming in Sections 50, 52 of the law, and adding a new Section 52.b.
“In a democratic country like ours, enhancing accessibility, inclusivity, and openness in governmental processes is imperative. Livestreaming legislative sessions fosters transparency and ensures that public officials are held accountable,” Salo said.
Salo said city and municipal councils can take a thing from what the House and the Senate are doing — livestreaming the sessions so that the people would know what bills and resolutions are being discussed, while at the same time educating the populace about legislative processes.
Article continues after this advertisementAccording to the lawmaker, there was a study Isabela City, Basilan which revealed that digital technology has been vital to improving “public service delivery and citizen engagement”, while a livestreaming set up in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte allowed residents to get “real-time access to discussions on measures affecting their city.”
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Laoag City Council to livestream sessions for transparency
The livestream system in Laoag was based on a 2017 ordinance that allows the livestreaming of proceedings, to give the public the opportunity to participate and to enhance transparency and accountability in government.
The program started last July 19, 2022.
“This initiative modernizes governance, ensuring it evolves alongside today’s technological advancements. Livestreaming local legislative sessions not only combats misinformation but also fosters an informed and engaged citizenry,” Salo explained.
“The proposed measure underscores the importance of using digital technology to bring governance closer to the people, setting a higher standard for public service in the Philippines,” he added.
The first amendment under HB No. 11294 is an insertion in R.A. No. 7160’s Section 50, which places the creation of guidelines for livestreaming under Internal Rules of Procedure.
READ: Congress TV to show transparency in House’s ‘inner workings’ — Romualdez
Section 52 will then be renumbered to Section 52.a if the law is enacted, which will require regular and special sessions of city and municipal councils to be livestreamed. The new Section 52.b on the other hand specifies what platforms would be used by LGUs, while allowing the public to source a copy of the recorded livestreams upon request.
Currently, both the House and the Senate do livestreams of their session on video streaming site YouTube, and on their Facebook pages. Updates meanwhile are posted on X.
At the same time, committee hearings, press briefings, and other programs involving both chambers of Congress can also be accessed through the said websites.
