The ordinance that seeks to include the civil society in taking responsibility in promoting good governance has been signed into a law in Quezon City.

Authored by councilor Jorge “Bolet’’ Banal, the Participation, Accountability and Transparency (PAT) ordinance calls for the creation of a “People’s Council” that will act as the city government’s partner in ensuring the effective delivery of basic services to local residents.

Members of the “People’s Council,’’ selected from accredited civil society groups in the city, will sit as representatives in the city development council, various local bodies, committee task forces and other similar government work groups.

“Good governance is easily achieved if its responsibilities are shared by the people,’’ Banal noted.

Banal cited Quezon City mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. for approving the ordinance that would see the participation of the “People’s Council’’ in the monitoring, deliberation and evaluation of city government programs which is expected to be a major deterrent against corruption.

Clarified that members of the “People’s Council’’ will not be allowed to participate directly or indirectly in partisan politics.

He said that the council will adapt internal rules and regulations (IRR) to ensure it will be shielded from any political partisanship or influence.

The vice mayor and chairman of the council’s committee on people’s participation will act as chairman and vice chairman respectively of an oversight committee to facilitate the implementation of the ordinance.

Banal noted that initially the city’s community relations office, city planning and development office, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), accreditation of the city council and the council of the sectoral representatives will convene all accredited civil society groups in Quezon City.