Manila: nationwide are urged to support the rollout of an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered legislative information system that will modernize the way local laws are drafted, managed, and accessed, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DILG will harness AI and emerging technologies to empower LGUs to craft more responsive policies, strengthen transparency in legislative processes, and build smarter, more innovative communities that better serve the Filipino people.
Based on Memorandum Circular No. 2026-041, the DILG encouraged city and municipal mayors, vice mayors, and local Sanggunians (councils) to submit electronic copies of their ordinances, resolutions, and other legislative issuances for inclusion in the e-Legis Reference System, a centralized, AI-driven online database designed to make local legislation more accessible, transparent, and efficient.
To ensure the effective implementation of the initiative, the department also directed city and municipal Sanggunian members to actively participate in orientation and capacity-building activities on the e-Legis Reference System. LGUs may likewise collect the corresponding subscription fees in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The e-Legis Reference System is expected to strengthen local governance by equipping policymakers with digital tools that improve the quality and efficiency of legislation. Among its key features are a personalized legislative feed based on users' areas of interest, an AI-powered drafting studio that assists in developing local measures, and a dedicated research platform that enables vice mayors and Sanggunian members to quickly search for relevant ordinances, resolutions, and policy references.
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Vice Mayors' League of the Philippines (VMLP) and the Center for Local and Regional Governance (CLRG) of the University of the Philippines National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP-NCPAG).
According to the DILG, the e-Legis Project will foster greater collaboration among LGUs by creating a centralized repository of local legislation, making it easier for local governments to share policy innovations, adopt proven ordinances, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making.
The system is also expected to reduce paperwork, streamline legislative workflows, automate document formatting, minimize manual processes, and improve records management, helping local governments become more responsive and efficient in delivering public service.
