• Purpose: To institutionalize the direct participation of individual citizens in Naga City’s legislative process, even if they are not members of organized groups or the Naga City People’s Council.
• Mechanisms Introduced:
  • Publication of proposed measures via website, social media, barangay boards, and radio
  • Mandatory consultation and feedback collection before committee hearings
  • Live-streaming of committee and public hearings
  • Posting of approved measures in searchable PDF format
• Personnel: Creation of a Citizens’ Engagement Officer (Local Legislative Officer I, SG-11) under the SP Secretariat
• Oversight Body: Establishment of the i-Engage Council composed of city officials, youth and barangay leaders, civil society, and academic representatives
• Implementation Plan: i-Engage Council to formulate a strategic plan within 3 months
• Funding: Incorporated into the City’s Annual Budget starting FY 2023
• Transitory Provision: Temporary staff assigned until a permanent officer is designated

Process and Timeline

• Publication of Proposed Measures: Proposed resolutions and ordinances are to be shared or posted within 3 days after the first reading.
• Consolidation of Feedback: All citizen feedback is to be consolidated and submitted to the committee chairperson and members concerned at least 3 days before the scheduled committee hearing.
• Implementation: Funding for the ordinance shall be incorporated into the City’s Annual Budget starting in FY 2023. The City Vice Mayor will assign a temporary staff member to perform the duties until a permanent Citizens’ Engagement Officer is designated, for a period not exceeding the first quarter of 2023.
• i-Engage Council Plan: The i-Engage Council shall formulate an i-Engage Plan within 3 months from the approval of the ordinance.
• i-Engage Council Meetings: The council will conduct regular quarterly meetings.

Channels for Distribution

The proposed and approved measures are to be posted, displayed, or distributed through the following channels:

• City website: For both proposed measures (or the barangay’s webpage when applicable) and approved ordinances/resolutions in searchable PDF format.
• Social media platforms: For posting proposed measures and for live-streaming committee and public hearings.
• Barangay transparency boards: For soliciting comments and suggestions in all 27 Barangays of Naga.
• Electronic mail: For an inventory of subscribers who shall regularly receive proposed measures for their feedback.
• Radio or other news delivery means: For discussion of the proposed measures by the proponent or anchor, and for immediate feedback from listeners.
• Public information boards: For wide dissemination of proposed measures.