ILOILO CITY, July 30 -- Cabinet Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. on Wednesday encouraged local legislators to draw lessons from Iloilo City's best practices in crafting ordinances that promote development and improve public services.

He said effective local governance begins with well-crafted ordinances.

"All good projects begin with an ordinance from the local government unit. The mayor cannot move without an ordinance, and that comes from you," Abalos told councilors at the three-day national convention of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL) on Wednesday.

He cited Iloilo City's transformation since the 1990s, noting its recognition as one of the country's cleanest cities, its river esplanade, and its designation as a UNESCO Creative ...