WRITING A

BARANGAY
RESOLUTION
EMERSON LACSON BERGONIO
Instructor, CBSUA-Calabanga Campus

What is a Resolution?
O A firm decision to do or not to do something.
O A way to outline a solution for a problem.
O A formal expression of opinion or intention

agreed on by a legislative body or other

formal meeting, typically after taking a vote.
O A written statement of opinion about an
issue. It means to solve a problem. It is the
solution to a conflict/problem.
O A main motion in parliamentary procedure
which expresses the Assemblys formal
opinions or sentiments.

Difference between
Ordinance & Resolution
O A resolution is a legislative action of a

temporary nature; a mere expression of

the opinion or sentiment of the
sanggunian on matters relating to
proprietary function and to private
concerns.
O An ordinance is a local law prescribing
rules of conduct of a general,
permanent nature. It continues to be in
force until repealed or superseded by a
subsequent enactment.

Why would you write a

resolution?
O To give a position and give

recommendations
O A way to express an opinion
O Criticize or put pressure on specific
groups (government bodies, nations)
O Recommend that action be taken

Who writes a
resolution?
O A specific organization or group of

policymakers (Sanggunian)
O A single country
O A group of countries that share the
same ideas on an issue

Parts of the Resolution

O Title
O Whereas Statements/Clause
O Resolved Clause or THEREFORE BE

IT RESOLVED statement

O The TITLE of the resolution must

appropriately reflect the intent.

O Resolutions begin with "Whereas"
statements, which provides the basic
facts and reasons for the resolution,
and
O Conclude with "Resolved"
statements which, identifies the
specific proposal for the requestor's
course of action.

Whereas Statements
O Background or "Whereas" information

provides the rationale for the "resolved"

course of action. The whereas statement(s)
should lead the reader to your conclusion
(resolved).
O In writing whereas statements begin by
introducing the topic of the resolution. Be
factual rather than speculative and
provide or reference statistics whenever
possible. The statements should briefly
identify the problem, advise the timeliness or
urgency of the problem, and the effect of the
issue.

O A resolution is generally prefaced by statements,

each introduced by the word Whereas, which

state the reasons for the resolution. Whereas
clauses or preambles of the resolution should
identify a problem or need for action, address its
timeliness or urgency, note any effects on the
organization being asked to adopt the resolution
or the public at large, and indicate whether the
proposed policy or action will alter current policy.
O Whereas clauses are not voted upon. They offer
an explanation and the rationale for the
resolution. The statements contained in the
whereas clauses are of no legal effect, and can
be the cause of much disagreement and
discussion. Members frequently attempt to
debate and amend these prefacing statements,
often to the neglect of the main resolution.

O Content and composition of the

whereas clauses are useful mainly

when the organization plans to
publish the resolution and wishes the
reasons for its adoption to be read
with it. A preamble paragraph can be
substituted for the whereas clause. It
serves the same purpose, but is less
formal.

THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED statement:
O

This is the punch line. It is the action being taken. You should state EXACTLY what
is to be voted upon. If the item is very brief, then it can be incorporated in this
section of the resolution. If you are revising existing language, it is often very
helpful to include the old version so that the reader can compare the two. If the
new or revised policy statement is long, then this section might say: That the
attached policy on (subject) be adopted effective (date). Then attach the
complete policy statement clearly identified at the top.

It is VERY important to state exactly how the new or revised policy will go into
effect. For example, policies affecting faculty employment are incorporated in the
Faculty Handbook and a reference should be made to a specific section of the
Handbook that would be revised. Student-related policies are often appropriate
for the University Polices for Student Life. Other policies may be issued as
Presidents Policy Memoranda and/or given a policy number and included among
general university policies. Administrative staff to the commissions should be
able to advise resolution writers about where new policy will be incorporated and
how this should be stated for the resolution. The commission needs to give some
thought to this as they are drafting language for new policy statements. Usually,
it is not sufficient to simply wave a wand and state that university documents
should be revised accordingly. You need to be specific about what should be
revised and exactly what language is being proposed for the revision. The reason
for this is obvious once you start the task-- it often brings up issues that need
more discussion and resolution if the policy is really going to be implemented.

Include an effective date for the policy (effective immediately? some subsequent
term?)

O The Resolved clause(s) comes at the end of all

prefacing statements and is the essential part of

the resolution. They should be concise and clear.
Resolved clauses should be stated in the
affirmative, since the negative form is often
confusing to the Assembly.
O A single issue should be addressed in each
resolution. If multiple resolved clauses are included
in a resolution, each
resolved clause must be independent, related to
the central subject, and completely
comprehensible after removal of the whereas
clauses. Each resolved clause must be able to
stand alone in its content, logic and structure.

Guidelines for Writing

Resolutions

O An effective resolution is one that

conveys a sense of the issue or

problem that led to the proposed
action, provides an explanation or
justification for the particular proposed
solution, gives the reader enough
background so he/she can understand
what is being proposed, and makes it
absolutely clear what people are
voting on.

Choosing a
topic/proposition:
O The resolution should contain only one central

idea. Avoid putting two ideas into one topic. The

following example shows a faulty motion: Be it
resolved that the Department of Welfare &
Development should increase the amount
of monthly payments and the number of
people eligible for food stamps. The motions
is faulty because it includes two separate issues.
O Appropriate topics exhibit seriousness of
purpose. Topics should be debatable, meaning
substantive argumentation exists on both sides.
O The resolution must call for a change in current
policy or practice. There is little point in
supporting something that already exists;
debate is created when change is proposed.

Wording the
proposition:
O The resolution must be worded in the affirmative

(positive). Avoid words like "not." Instead of writing "Be

it resolved that the Welfare Department should not
increase its payments." write "Be it resolved that the
Welfare department increase its payments." Even if
you oppose the increase, you will get to debate on the
negative side of the affirmatively-worded proposition.

O The wording of the resolutions must be neutral.

"Loaded" words and emotional language give one side

an unfair advantage. Imagine trying to oppose a
resolution that called for a ban on the inhumane,
tortuous gas chamber as a form of capital punishment.

O The resolution should be phrased clearly and precisely.

Structuring the
resolution
O The title should be descriptive, specific, and brief.
O The resolution should be typed and double-spaced
O

with line numbers, not exceeding one page.

Under the WHEREAS CLAUSE, state two or three
possible reasons why the proposition should be
considered and accepted.
The resolution should be one long sentence
separated by commas (,) in every WHEREAS
clause, semi-colons (;) for each WHEREAS
statement and preceded by the word and before
the last whereas clause.
The last "whereas clause" is followed by the
phrase/words "THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED IN
_____________ THAT:" (The proposition then follows:)
A period (.) only appears at the very END of the
WHOLE RESOLUTION.

O Capitalize the words WHEREAS and

RESOLVED, and inverse-indent

each clause to help distinguish
between ideas and concepts.

DOS AND DONTS OF

RESOLUTION WRITING
DOs
O Use many different sources to support your point
O Look the problem from different points of view
O Present realistic solutions
O Represent your country and its actual foreign policy
DONTs
O Do not use inappropriate abbreviations
O Dont use I when referring to yourself; say we or
the department/agency/entity of _
O Dont make a resolution very long, but be specific
when giving solutions

Points to remember:
O How a resolution is written will determine whether it is

adopted or defeated. If the intent of the resolution is

unclear, it may be defeated even if you explain it on the
floor of the Assembly. Poor grammar can defeat a
resolution -- if you are unsure how to state something
so that it expresses your intention, consult your
colleagues for feedback; sometimes the questions they
ask will help things coalesce in your mind. If a resolution
is poorly written, no matter how well intended, it will be
looked upon as wasting the time of the Assembly.

O Whereas clauses can defeat or pass a resolution.

More is not necessarily better. State your reasons for

the resolution, but dont be redundant. The Assembly
will focus on the redundancies in your resolution rather
than the supporting information contained in them.

Points to remember:
O Too many resolved clauses may cause referral or

defeat of a resolution. Do not try to accomplish too

much with one resolution. If you have written a
resolution with many resolved clauses, it may
accomplish your purpose better to break them out
into separate resolutions. The Assembly may adopt
the resolutions more readily if they are considered
separately. However, the other side of this is also true
-- the Assembly may feel that several separate
resolutions are so closely related that they should be
considered and adopted as one resolution.

EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE ______________AT THE
___________________________ON ________________, 2011.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
RESOLUTION NO. ______S.
x----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
A RESOLUTION CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMET OF MR. ________________________
WHEREAS, ______________________________________________________________________;
WHEREAS, ______________________________________________________________________;
WHEREAS, ______________________________________________________________________;
NOW THEREFORE, on motion duly seconded, (or on motion of _________________ duly seconded by
_________________; or on motion of the Chairman of the Committee on ____________ duly seconded by the
members of this committee), it was, RESOLVED , to confirm the appointment issued by the
___________________ in favor of Mr. _________________ as____________________
RESOLVED FURTHER, to send copies of this resolution to all the officials and offices concerned for their
information.
ADOPTED. ______________________, 2011.
x-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------x
I hereby certify to the correctness of the foregoing resolution which was duly adopted by the
_____________________during its regular session held on _____________________.
__________________________________
Barangay Secretary
ATTESTED:
_______________________________

A Resolution to Urge Further

Actionon a Specific Issue

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WHEREAS,Statethecurrentproblem(thisneedstobe
accomplishedinonebriefsentence);and
WHEREAS,Describethescopeoftheproblemcitedin
thefirstwhereasclause(thisclauseneeds
toflowlogicallyfromthefirst);and
WHEREAS,Explaintheimpactandharmsperpetuated
bythecurrentproblem(onceagain,the
clauseneedstoflowinalogical
sequence);now,therefore,beit
RESOLVED,BytheCongresshereassembledthat:state
yourrecommendationfordealingwiththe
problem(theresolutionshouldbeaclear
callforaction);and,beit
FURTHER RESOLVED,That(anoptionaladditional
recommendation;ifnotused,endthe
previousresolvedclausewithaperiod).

Introduced by Name of School

A Bill to Establish a Specific Policy

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BEITENACTEDBYTHECONGRESSHEREASSEMBLED
THAT:
SECTION [Link]
sentence,orinasfewsentencesas
possible.
SECTION [Link]
thefirstsection.
SECTION [Link]
overseetheenforcementofthebillalong
withthespecificenforcementmechanism.
SECTION [Link]
date/timeframe.
SECTION [Link]
conflictwiththisnewpolicyshallhereby
bedeclarednullandvoid.

Introduced by Name of School

EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE Ist REGULAR SESSION OF THE 14TH SANGGUNIANG BAYAN OF UPI,
MAGUINDANAO HELD AT THE SB SESSION HALL ON JULY 14, 2010 AT 9:30 A.M.
Present: Hon. Ramon A. Piang, Sr. .. Presiding Officer
Hon. Alexis M. Platon . PO Protempore
Hon. Susan M. Mayo .......... Member
Hon. Guiamel G. Abutazil . Member
Hon. Myrna Lou C. de Vera Member
Hon. Raul M. Gardose Member
Hon. Kalima O. Gunsi .. Member
Hon. Nurodin s. Musa .. Member
Hon. Benjamin D. Suenan .... Member
Hon. Datu Michael C. Sinsuat I .. Member(ABC Rep.)Absent:
Hon. Roque M. Julio .. Member(SK Rep.)
RESOLUTION NO. 02Series 2010
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROMSENATOR LOREN LEGARDA FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF
A MATERNAL CENTER
WHEREAS; Upi Rural Health Unit has undergone renovation;
WHEREAS; among the changes is the inclusion of a delivery room and the Implementation of one barangay one midwife
program of the Local Government Unit of Upi in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH);
WHEREAS; the RHU is in need of maternal center to women due for delivery and post delivery cases;
WHEREAS; the Local Government Unit is not in the position to finance the construction of holding areas/building on many
maternal cases;

NOW THEREFORE considering premises presented and on motion of Honorable Benjamin D. Suenan seconded by Honorable
Alexis M. Platon and Honorable Datu Michael C. Sinsuat-I it was:
RESOLVED as it is hereby RESOLVED to solicit financial assistance from the Honorable Senator Loren Legarda in the amount
of One million pesos for use in the construction of maternal center in the municipality of Upi, Maguindanao.
UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: July 14, 2010
I HEREBY CERTIFY to the correctness of the above stated resolution.

THANK YOU