Bringing Capacity Building Home: Maslog Sets New Standard for Local Legislation Training

Posted on Julu 10, 2026 at 8:57 am

MASLOG, Eastern Samar — On a quiet morning in this upland municipality, a gathering of local officials and staff at the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) hall on July 8 marked a small but significant milestone for governance in Eastern Samar. While grand training events in city convention centers with access to malls and leisure facilities have become the norm across many regions, Maslog has broken this pattern by hosting a comprehensive capacity development program on local legislation right within its own community – a move that speaks volumes about the value of bringing essential governance tools closer to where they matter most.

The initiative, led by Vice Mayor Zacarias Santiago and facilitated by the municipality’s newly appointed SB Secretary Juan Franco Quinto, brought together all members of the Sangguniang Bayan and their support staff for a day of learning focused on the essentials of local legislation as a public value. Serving as resource person was Mr. Franklin Robedizo, Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, who emphasized that this was the first time such a capacity-building activity for a municipal legislative body had been conducted entirely within the host LGU’s premises in the province – a deliberate choice that sets Maslog apart as a model for practical, community-centered governance development.

For too long, capacity-building programs for local officials have followed a familiar script: travel to a major city, book a spacious event center, arrange for accommodation and meals at nearby establishments, and conduct sessions against a backdrop of urban amenities. While these settings can be comfortable, they also create a disconnect between the training and the realities of governing in rural municipalities like Maslog – where resources are limited, communities are spread out, and the challenges of local legislation are deeply rooted in the daily lives of residents. By hosting the training on their own ground, under the careful coordination of SB Secretary Juan Franco Quinto, Maslog has ensured that the lessons learned are immediately relevant to the context in which these officials work – from drafting ordinances that address agricultural concerns to crafting resolutions that respond to the unique needs of upland communities.

Mr. Robedizo’s presentation delved into the core principles of local legislation, emphasizing that effective lawmaking at the municipal level is not just about following procedures – it is about creating public value that improves lives, protects resources, and strengthens communities. Participants explored topics ranging from how to conduct proper public consultations for proposed ordinances to ensuring that legislative measures are aligned with provincial and national development goals. They also discussed practical aspects of legislative work, including drafting clear and enforceable provisions, maintaining accurate records, and communicating the intent and impact of local laws to constituents who may have limited access to formal information channels – areas where Secretary Quinto sees critical opportunities to enhance the SB’s effectiveness in serving Maslog’s residents.

What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is the leadership shown by Vice Mayor Santiago and SB Secretary Juan Franco Quinto, who recognized that investing in the capacity of their legislative body is one of the most critical steps a local government can take to deliver meaningful service. In many small municipalities, training opportunities for SB members and staff are often deprioritized in favor of more visible infrastructure projects or immediate service delivery needs. Yet, as Maslog’s example demonstrates, strong local legislation is the foundation upon which all effective governance is built – without well-crafted ordinances and resolutions, even the best-intentioned programs can falter or fail to reach those who need them most. Secretary Quinto, in his new role, has made it a priority to ensure that the SB operates with both professionalism and a deep understanding of the community it serves.

Mr. Robedizo’s call for other LGUs to follow Maslog’s lead is both timely and necessary. In a province like Eastern Samar, where many municipalities face similar challenges of limited resources and remote communities, bringing capacity building home is not just a matter of convenience – it is a strategic decision that ensures training is accessible, affordable, and attuned to local realities. It sends a message that local officials do not need to look to cities to gain the skills they need to serve their communities well. Instead, they can build capacity right where they are, drawing on the knowledge and experience within their own provinces and creating a culture of continuous learning that benefits both officials and the people they represent. Secretary Quinto notes that this approach also allows the municipality to allocate more resources directly to training materials and expert facilitation, rather than spending on travel and accommodation.

As the training concluded in Maslog, participants left not just with new knowledge and skills, but with a renewed sense of purpose about their role as legislators. They understood that every ordinance they draft, every resolution they pass, and every public hearing they conduct is an opportunity to create real change for their community. By choosing to host this activity at home, under the coordination of SB Secretary Juan Franco Quinto, Maslog has proven that meaningful capacity building does not require grand settings or expensive venues – it simply requires the commitment to invest in the people who are tasked with shaping the future of their towns. In doing so, they have set a standard that other LGUs would do well to emulate.