“Without presence of both resource persons and our own members, we compromise the quality of work and our service to the public” - BM Dangani calls for active participation in SP committee hearings

Tabuk City, Kalinga – Retired Police Brigadier General (PBGEN) and now Kalinga Board Member Alfredo K. Dangani called for stronger participation and accountability among concerned offices and individuals during Sangguniang Panlalawigan committee hearings to maintain the quality of legislative work.

During his privilege speech at the Provincial Board session on May 5, Dangani underscored that committee hearings serve as venues to thoroughly discuss and review concerns before actions are taken.

He pointed out that the absence of resource persons and even members of the body affects the flow of discussions and may lead to gaps in decision-making and public service.

“It is the fundamental duty we owe to the institution and to the people of Kalinga.

Committee hearings are essential to our legislative function. Without the presence of both resource persons and our own members, we compromise the quality of work and our service to the public,” said Dangani.

Dangani, who chairs the Committee on Health and Sanitation, then proposed measures to address the concern.

One of these is improving the system for inviting resource speakers and ensuring that notices are sent on time, properly documented, and clearly acknowledged by recipients to avoid miscommunication and absences during hearings.

“...all invitations to resource speakers be issued in a timely, documented, and verifiable manner, with clear acknowledgment required from the recipients,” he proposed.

Dangani also suggested the creation of a monitoring mechanism within the secretariat to track the attendance and compliance of invited individuals, including documenting the reasons of those who fail to appear.

“...a monitoring system be established within the Secretariat to track attendance and compliance of invited resource persons, including reasons for non-appearance,” he said.

In cases where agencies or individuals repeatedly fail to attend without valid reason, he said they should be formally reported to the board and may be subjected to appropriate legal or administrative actions.

“...agencies or individuals who repeatedly fail to attend without valid justification be formally reported to this body, and if necessary, be subject to appropriate sanctions or administrative actions consistent with existing laws and regulations,” he added.

At the same time, the board member emphasized that accountability should not only apply to external participants but also within the Sangguniang Panlalawigan itself.

With this, he proposed stricter internal measures to ensure the regular attendance of committee members, along with proper documentation and corresponding actions against habitual absences.

“...stricter internal measures be adopted to encourage and ensure the regular attendance of committee members, including proper documentation of attendance and, when necessary, appropriate actions to address habitual absences. Our responsibility as members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is to uphold the highest standards of governance,” Dangani further said.

Concluding his message, the local legislator expressed hope that the matter would be given due consideration, saying it would help the board continuously and effectively serve the people of Kalinga.

Dangani’s statement was positively received by other board members and Presiding Officer Vice Governor Dave Odiem.