ANG SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD NG NAGA

The Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Lungsod ng Naga (The Naga City Council), is the city’s law-making body, responsible for crafting ordinances and resolutions that also form part of the local government’s policies. The body meets every Tuesday, four times in a month, for its regular sessions. The sitting Vice-Mayor is also the presiding officer of the Sanggunian.

The City Council regularly meets every Tuesday at the Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

The Mace is the symbol of the Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. It also represents its power and authority.

It is borne by the Sergeant-at-Arms when enforcing order in the Sanggunian.

At the beginning of every session, the Chairman enters the session hall following the Sergeant-At-Arms carrying the mace on his right shoulder, who subsequently sets the mace on the designated area to begin the session. When the mace is removed, the session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod has adjourned. And at the end of the session, the Chairman leaves the session hall with the Sergeant-at-Arms carrying the mace.

The duties of the Secretary:

1. To carry out or enforce orders and decisions of the Sangguniang Panlungsod;
2. To keep a full record of the proceedings of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and file all documents relative thereto as part of the public records of the city.  Record in a book kept for the purpose all ordinances, resolutions and motions adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod with the dates of their approval and publication;
3. To keep the minutes of each session.  The minutes shall comprise a clear and concise account of the business transacted and actions taken by the Sangguniang Panlungsod;
4. To call the roll of the members after the Body is called to order, read the minutes of the previous session, read the proposed measures, ordinances, resolutions, messages, communications, memorials, petitions and other documents which he should report to the Sangguniang Panlungsod or the reading thereof as required by the Sangguniang Panlungsod or ordered by the Chairman;
5. To note all questions of orders and the decisions thereon, the record of which shall be encoded and emailed after the close of each session for the use of the members, as an appendix to the minutes of such session;
6. To complete the encoding of the Order of Business for the forthcoming session and emailing it with all the pertinent attachments  to the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod by 5:00 p.m. of Friday prior to the session.
7. Ordinances and resolutions passed and adopted shall be properly indexed.  Each member shall be entitled to a copy thereof;
8. To retain in the Office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod at least one (1) printed copy and one (1) digital copy of all the documents which shall not be withdrawn therefrom;
9. Upon the direction or request of the Chairman or any member of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, to furnish the Committees papers, documents or effects on all matters referred to them;
10. To attach and affix the seal adopted by the Sangguniang Panlungsod to all writs, arrests and subpoenas issued upon order of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and certify to the approval of all acts, ordinances and resolutions;
11. To require all persons attending the sessions to register on the logbook provided for the purpose;
12. To ensure that there is available budget for all committees; and
13. To exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be directed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod or as may be prescribed by existing laws.

Duties of the Sergeant-at-Arms

Aside from bearing the Mace to enforce order, and carrying it at the beginning of each Session, the Sergeant-at-Arms has the following duties:

• To attend the sessions of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and the committees holding hearings;
• To maintain order under the direction of the Presiding Officer or Chairman of the Committees concerned;
• To carry out the orders of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and all processes issued by authority thereof delivered to
  him.
• The Sergeant-at-Arms shall not allow any person other than the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, officials and
  employees needed during the session to enter or stay within the spaces set aside for their exclusive use. The Chairman
  shall not suspend nor entertain any motion for the suspension of the operation of this section.

THE SESSION HALL

1. Except the seat assigned to the Chairman, the seats in the Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall be distributed to the members according to the order of placement they obtained during the last election. They may, however, agree on another seating arrangement which is acceptable and convenient, provided, it is approved by the majority of the members.
2. The Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall be used only for the sessions and committee hearings thereof except when the Sangguniang Panlungsod or the Vice Mayor so directs otherwise.
3. The space in the hall set aside for the use of the members while the Sangguniang Panlungsod is in session, shall be reserved exclusively for the members thereof during the session and for the  officials/employees when needed therein.
4. Silence in the Session Hall of the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall be observed and everyone shall refrain from unnecessary movements to preserve decorum in the Session Hall.
5. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the Session Hall. Anybody under the influence of intoxicating drinks should be barred from the session hall.