Olongapo City Unveils SangguniAPP, the Philippines’ First Digital Sanggunian Platform
OLONGAPO CITY — Taking a major step toward digital governance and people-centered legislation, the Olongapo City Council has officially launched SangguniAPP, a mobile and web-based platform designed to make local lawmaking more transparent, accessible, and engaging for citizens.
Introduced on Wednesday and led by Vice Mayor Kaye Legaspi, SangguniAPP is being touted by city officials as the first-of-its-kind digital Sanggunian platform in the Philippines. The system brings together legislative records, live council sessions, and citizen participation tools in one integrated digital space.
“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.”
Making Local Legislation Easier to Understand
At the heart of SangguniAPP is a searchable digital archive of ordinances and resolutions passed by the Sangguniang Panlungsod. Users can browse measures by keyword, topic, or sponsoring councilor, making it easier for residents to stay informed about local policies that affect their daily lives.
To further improve understanding, the platform uses artificial intelligence to generate plain-language summaries of legislative measures. Automatic Filipino translations, easy-read versions for senior citizens, and voice dictation features for persons with disabilities are also built in—ensuring broader accessibility across age groups and abilities.
Bringing Council Sessions Closer to the Public
SangguniAPP introduces a Live Session feature, allowing residents to follow Sanggunian proceedings in real time. After each session, councilors can activate the “Explain My Vote” function, where they briefly explain how and why they voted on specific measures—an innovation aimed at strengthening accountability and public trust.
Residents can also stay updated through the app’s announcements and notification system, which alerts users about public hearings, consultations, and council-led discussions.
Direct Lines to City Leadership
The platform features a Vice Mayor’s Corner, where citizens can submit personal concerns, requests, or feedback directly. A built-in ticketing system allows users to track the progress and status of their submissions, adding transparency to constituent services.
For those interested in monitoring governance, SangguniAPP’s Open Books section provides access to Sanggunian budget data and displays the attendance records of councilors during sessions and committee meetings.
Encouraging Active Citizen Participation
Participation goes beyond observation through the app’s Kommunity feature, which enables Olongapeños to:
- Submit policy recommendations
- Respond to surveys using a “pulse meter”
- Request public documents
- Seek opportunities to present advocacies before the council
To encourage sustained engagement, SangguniAPP includes a digital rewards and recognition system, where users earn badges for activities such as attending consultations, answering surveys, watching live sessions, or contributing policy ideas.
A Model for Digital Governance
City officials say SangguniAPP reflects Olongapo City’s broader push toward digital transformation, transparency, and participatory democracy, potentially serving as a blueprint for other local government units across the country.
“This is only the beginning,” Legaspi said, hinting at additional features to be introduced in the coming months. “Abangan.”
SangguniAPP is expected to be rolled out to the public soon, with both mobile and web access planned to ensure inclusive and citywide adoption.
via Bravo Filipino
