In a move aimed at modernizing local legislation and strengthening citizen participation, the Olongapo City Council on Wednesday launched SangguniAPP, a mobile and web-based digital platform designed to make the work of the Sangguniang Panlungsod more accessible, transparent, and interactive.
The launch marks a significant milestone in local governance, as city officials described SangguniAPP as the first digital Sanggunian platform in the Philippines. The platform integrates legislative records, live session features, and citizen engagement tools into a single system, allowing residents to better understand and engage with the city’s legislative processes.
Led by Vice Mayor Kaye Legaspi, the initiative reflects the city’s broader push toward digital governance and participatory democracy. By leveraging technology, Olongapo City aims to bring local legislation closer to its constituents while improving transparency and accountability within the Sanggunian.
“This is a personal project and a commitment to make the Sanggunian more open, understandable, and reachable to every Olongapeño,” Legaspi said during the launch. “SangguniAPP is about clearer information, easier access, and more meaningful participation.”
Centralized and searchable legislative records
At the core of SangguniAPP is a comprehensive and searchable database of ordinances and resolutions passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Users can easily locate measures by filtering results through keywords, subject matter, or councilor, making legislative information easier to access and navigate.
To further enhance understanding, the platform incorporates artificial intelligence tools that generate plain-language summaries of ordinances and resolutions. These summaries are intended to help residents quickly grasp the content and purpose of legislative measures without the need to interpret complex legal language.
Accessibility is a key component of the platform. Measures can be automatically translated into Filipino, presented in an easy-read format designed for senior citizens, and accessed through voice dictation options. These features aim to improve inclusivity for persons with disabilities and ensure that legislative information is available to a wider audience.
Live sessions and accountability features
SangguniAPP also introduces a Live Session feature that allows residents to follow Sanggunian proceedings in real time. Through this function, users can observe council discussions and deliberations as they happen, strengthening transparency in local decision-making.
After each session, councilors are given the option to use the “Explain My Vote” feature. This allows them to provide brief explanations detailing how and why they voted on specific measures. The feature is intended to improve public understanding of legislative decisions and reinforce accountability among elected officials.
The platform further includes an announcements and notification system that keeps residents informed about upcoming public hearings, consultations, and Sanggunian-led discussions. By centralizing these updates, the city aims to encourage greater public awareness and participation in legislative activities.
Citizen access, transparency, and open governance
A dedicated Vice Mayor’s Corner is also built into SangguniAPP. This section allows residents to submit personal requests, concerns, or inquiries directly through the platform. A built-in ticketing system enables users to monitor the status and progress of their submissions, providing visibility into how concerns are addressed.
Transparency tools form another major component of the app. Through the Open Books section, users can view information related to the Sanggunian’s budget and monitor the attendance of councilors during sessions and committee meetings. These features are designed to promote openness and strengthen public trust in local governance.
Encouraging participation through the Kommunity feature
Citizen participation is further encouraged through the Kommunity feature, which enables Olongapeños to actively contribute to policymaking. Residents can submit policy recommendations, respond to surveys using a pulse meter, request access to public documents, and seek opportunities to present advocacies before the council.
To incentivize engagement, SangguniAPP incorporates a rewards and recognition system. Users can earn digital badges for activities such as joining public consultations, answering surveys, watching council sessions, or submitting policy proposals. This feature aims to encourage sustained civic participation and foster a stronger connection between residents and the Sanggunian.
A model for digital governance
City officials said SangguniAPP reflects Olongapo City’s commitment to digital governance and participatory democracy. By bringing legislative access, transparency tools, and citizen engagement features into one platform, the city positions itself as a potential model for other local governments in the Philippines.
“This is only the beginning,” Legaspi said, hinting at more features to be rolled out in the coming months. “Abangan,” she added.
The platform is expected to be rolled out to the public soon, with both mobile and web access planned to ensure broad reach across the city. Through SangguniAPP, Olongapo City aims to create a more informed, engaged, and empowered citizenry while setting a new standard for local legislative transparency.
