PCL History

PCL HISTORY

The idea of organizing a Philippine Councilors Federation was first conceived in 1989. It was on July 15, 1989 that the Metro Manila Councilors League (MMPCL) held its first National Capital Region Councilors Assembly at the Quezon City Sports Club with the theme “Local Autonomy: Key to National Progress and Stability.” Immediately thereafter, the MMPCL Officers encourage all the Councilors outside of Metro Manila to organize Regional and Provincial Federations. The MMPCL Officers, together with the officers of the Regional and Provincial Federation already organized, held a meeting in the City of Manila primarily to elect the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) Interim Officers and to plan for the holding of its first PCL National Congress. The first PCL Congress was then held on September 7 – 9, 1990 at the Ninoy Aquino Memorial Stadium in Malate, Manila. The said Congress established the PCL Foundation by ratifying its Constitution and By-Laws and electing its first set of National Officers wherein Honorable Guillermo C. Altuna and Honorable Ponciano D. Subido, both distinguished Councilors of Quezon and City of Manila respectively were elected as National Chairman and National President in the same order.

The PCL obtained its official status as a local government association when it was accredited by the then Department of the Interior and Local Government on September 3, 1990 and subsequently registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 17, 1990.

The PCL notched another milestone when Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, recognized the existence of the Federation of other elective officials. On January 16, 1992 the Department of the Interior and Local Government issued a Memorandum Circular No. 92 – 03 mandating that the existing Constitution and By-Laws be modified in accordance with the pertinent provisions of the said Code.

In the light of these development, the PCL National Council was convened by National Chairman Guillermo C. Altuna on August 22, 1992 at the Asian Institute of Tourism, Diliman, Quezon City to amend the existing PCL Constitution and By-Laws which was accordingly adopted and ratified during the Second National Congress held on October 17-18, 1992 at the San Andres Sports Complex in Malate, City of Manila.

As a local government association with a large constituency the PCL continues to evolve as a dynamic and vibrant organization of local legislators. The PCL is always at the forefront of contemporary and emerging trends in the local administration and development to help improve the quality of life of the Filipino people through effective local legislation.

PCL INSTITUTIONAL PHILOSOPHY

• Observance of the Rule of Law;
• Sharing of resources and experiences beneficial to the members; and
• Adherence to the principles of consultative and collective decision-making

PCL COVENANT

The PCL firmly believes that the promotion of the general welfare of the country and the delivery of basic services to the remotest barangay is better achieved by and through a genuine, effective and productive local autonomy and development of self-reliance as PCL binds itself with the blessings and guidance of the Father of all mankind.

PCL OBJECTIVES

The PCL is established primarily to carry out the following objectives:

• Establish a strategic and accessible forum for;
• Giving life, meaning and substance to the concepts of decentralization and local autonomy:
  • Crystallizing and expressing ideas of primordial concern to the PCL, and
  • Strengthening public sector relations towards local development
• Bring the government closer to the people and vice-versa;
• Strengthening the rapport, camaraderie and brotherhood among local legislators;
• To formulate, implement and coordinate programs, projects and activities beneficial to the members of the League and/or the general welfare of the people;
• To promote the development of cooperatives throughout the country to uplift the socio-economic condition of the people;
• To set up a foundation for the benefit of the members, their families and constituents;
• To undertake fund raising projects and activities to support the PCL’s program and objectives.