By CESAR JOLITO III
A labor group renewed its call for Congress to pass a long-delayed enabling law that would allow the election of sectoral representatives in local legislative councils, saying the failure to act has effectively silenced marginalized sectors for nearly 35 years.
Wennie Sancho, secretary general of the General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA), said in a statement yesterday that a key provision of the 1991 Local Government Code (LGC) mandating sectoral representation for local sanggunians remains unimplemented due to the absence of an enabling law.
Under the LGC, each local council is supposed to reserve three sectoral seats — one each for women and workers, and a third for other marginalized groups such as senior citizens, urban poor, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities.
Sancho described the provision as a “bold vision” meant to bring grassroots voices directly into local decision-making.
“After almost 35 years, that promise remains unfulfilled. This is not mere negligence. This is a deliberate failure to empower marginalized sectors,” Sancho said in a press statement.
He stressed that without an enabling law, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has no legal basis to conduct elections for sectoral representatives, leaving local councils without the inclusive representation envisioned by the LGC.
As a result, issues affecting workers, women, senior citizens, and other vulnerable groups — such as fair wages, access to health care, public services, and protection of indigenous lands — are often overlooked in policy discussions.
Sancho likened Congress’ inaction to past efforts to dilute proposed legislation against political dynasties, calling the sectoral representation provision a “dead letter law” due to the lack of political will to implement it.
GAWA also pointed out that other countries have successfully institutionalized sectoral or marginalized-group representation in local governance, questioning why Philippine lawmakers have failed to do the same.
Sancho suggested that fears of increased scrutiny from militant or progressive groups may be among the reasons for the delay.
“The solution is simple,” he said, “Congress only needs to pass a clear and straightforward enabling law that defines how sectoral representatives are elected in every sanggunian.”
GAWA urged lawmakers to immediately pass the enabling law for Section 41 (c) of the Local Government Code, emphasizing that the issue is both a legal obligation and a moral imperative.
“Let the promise of the 1991 Local Government Code become a reality in 2026,” Sancho said.
“Our democracy needs inclusive governance, especially amid persistent issues of corruption. It is time to give a real and permanent voice to those who have long been pushed to the margins of our society,” he added./CJ, WDJ