Dagupan Blue Ribbon body finally formed
THE Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has finally approved a resolution proposed by Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo seeking to amend the body’s house rules to include an anti-graft body called Blue Ribbon Committee that will investigate the complaints with the city council.
Tamayo’s resolution was in response to the series of complaints initially filed by The PUNCH editor-publisher Ermin Garcia Jr. in an open letter published in his Punchline column last September 22.
The resolution, however, approved in a session presided over by Karlos Reyna, presiding officer pro tempore, included an amendment from Councilor Jeslito Seen who proposed that the blue ribbon committee to be created would be an ad hoc body to exist only to look into specific complaints.
SP Secretary Ryan Ravanzo said the other members of the SP who attended the session were Councilors Maybelyn Fernandez, Alfie Fernandez, Marvin Fabia, Alvin Coquia and Joaquin Reyes, Liga ng mga Barangay president.
Not around were Councilors Red- Erfe Mejia, Jess Canto, Guillermo Vallejos and Chester Gonzales.
Reyna presided over the session in the absence of Vice Mayor Brian Lim.
With the approval of the measure, the ad hoc blue ribbon body will become a permanent fixture in the house rules of the local legislative henceforth.
Tamayo, a lawyer, was chosen by the majority as chair of the ad hoc committee with Councilor Alfie Fernandez, another lawyer, as vice chairman and Liga ng mga Barangay president Reyes as moderator.
It will function as a regular committee in the SP.
The investigation that will tackle the 9th and last issue listed in the complaint which was the failure of City Agriculture Emma Molina to stop the proliferation of illegal fish pens in Dagupan rivers before the 2013 election.
Invited as resource speakers in this issue are City Agriculturist Emma Molina, City Legal Officer George Mejia, members of the Dagupan Sumisigay Federation led by Ronnie Cayabyab, and fishpond owners association.
In this inquiry in aid of legislation, Councilor Seen, as chairman on the SP committee on fisheries, will also take an active part.
Tamayo said the inquiry will determine lapses in the implementation of the city’s existing fishery ordinance that may have led to the proliferation of fish pens in Dagupan under the previous city administration so that proper legislation could be introduced.
He said all the issues raised in Garcia’s open letter will be heard with different sets of resource speakers.
The ad hoc body shall cease to exist once the findings and recommendations are submitted to the SP for its evaluation and from which resolutions may be passed to correct lapses in the enforcement of the city’s ordinances.
The committee will be reactivated only when there are complaints received that need to be investigated in aid of legislation.
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