REVAMP 2026: Where Were the LGU Employees in the Dialogue?

Posted on June 26, 2026 at 5:19 am

The recent REVAMP 2026 – a Regional Consultative Dialogue and Policy Review Workshop on Local Government Code Amendments held at Summit Hotel Tacloban City last June 24 – was meant to bring together stakeholders to shape the future of local governance in our region. But as questions begin to surface about who was actually in the room, a critical gap has emerged: were representatives from LGU employees – particularly Sanggunian Secretaries and other non-elected personnel – given a seat at the table?

This is not a trivial concern. Sanggunian Secretaries and other LGU employees are the backbone of local government operations. They are the ones who work day in and day out to implement policies, draft ordinances, manage administrative processes, and ensure that the machinery of governance runs smoothly at the municipal, city, and provincial levels. As frontline practitioners, they possess firsthand knowledge of what works – and what doesn’t – in the current Local Government Code. Their insights could have been invaluable in identifying areas that need amendment, anticipating potential challenges in implementation, and proposing practical solutions that reflect real-world realities on the ground.

Yet, according to inquiries from the sector, it appears that this group was not adequately represented in the consultative process. While elected officials and other stakeholders were present to share their perspectives, the voices of those who actually carry out the work of local government were noticeably absent. This raises important questions about whether the dialogue was truly inclusive, and whether the proposed amendments will address the full range of issues facing our LGUs.

The people – and particularly LGU employees themselves – are seeking clarity on one key point: will non-elected personnel be given separate opportunities to participate in future consultative sessions, where they can freely share their experiences, perspectives, and recommendations without fear of influence or constraint? These employees often face the direct consequences of policy decisions, and their input is essential to ensuring that any amendments to the Local Government Code are practical, effective, and responsive to the needs of both government and the communities they serve.

It’s worth noting that meaningful policy reform cannot happen in a vacuum. For amendments to the Local Government Code to be successful, they must take into account the views of all those involved in local governance – from elected leaders setting strategic direction to the staff who translate those strategies into action. Excluding non-elected personnel from the dialogue risks creating policies that look good on paper but fall short in practice, failing to address the day-to-day challenges that affect service delivery and operational efficiency.

The organizers of REVAMP 2026 have an opportunity to correct this oversight. By scheduling dedicated consultative sessions for LGU employees, they can ensure that these critical voices are heard and that their insights are incorporated into the policy review process. This would not only strengthen the quality of the proposed amendments but also build trust between policymakers and the personnel who will be responsible for implementing them.

Local governance is a partnership that requires collaboration across all levels and roles within our LGUs. As we work to update the Local Government Code to meet the needs of our communities in 2026 and beyond, we must ensure that no key stakeholder group is left behind. The contributions of LGU employees – especially Sanggunian Secretaries and other non-elected personnel – are too valuable to be overlooked.