THE Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution expressing its disappointment and disgust over the disinformation posted by the city’s Public Information Office (PIO) in connection with the delay in the passage of the city’s 2022 annual budget.

Resolution No. 7893-2022 sponsored by Councilors Luis Samson Jr., Michael Fernandez, Joshua Bon Bon. Bugayon and Dennis Canto, was duly seconded by Councilors Jose Tamayo, Karlos Reyna, Marvin Fabia, Teresa Coquia and Lino Fernandez.

What earned the ire of the SP was the PIO’s post on its website: “100 araw na mula noong isumite ang proposed annual budget ng ating lungsod para sa taong 2022, hindi pa rin inaprobahan ng mayorya ng Sangguniang Panlungsod.” 

The SP cited the regular attendance of the PIO in SP’s regular sessions and PIO is aware of the issues revolving around the delayed passage of the budget ordinance, particularly, the failure of the office of the city mayor to comply with the DBM Local Budget Memorandum No. 82, that requires the mayor to prepare and submit the LGU Capacity Development Agency and the Indicative Annual Procurement Plan, among other documents.

It cited two resolutions that reminded the mayor about his responsibilities: Resolution No. 7886-2021 of the SP entitled “Requesting the Honorable City Mayor for the submission of the corresponding detailed Indicative Procurement Plan for Calendar Year 2022”, and Resolution No. 7891-2022, entitled “ Resolution Most Respectfully Requesting the Honorable City Mayor for the submission of the Capacity Development Agenda for 2022.”

The SP said the PIO should function as an effective communication arm of the city government and should not report lies about the affairs of the city government.

In its resolution, the SP reminded the PIO of its sworn duty to provide relevant, adequate and timely information to the people by including in its post the failure of the office of the mayor to submit the required documents as mandated by law.

The SP directed the PIO to correct its post by citing the true facts surrounding the delayed passage of the 2022 budget.

Tamayo reminded that the PIO must serve the entire city and not only the office of the city executive while Reyna said the PIO did not cite the reason behind the delay in the passage of the budget

Lino Fernandez deplored the PIO’s actuations as being unfair and partisans in its statements since the filing of the certificates of candidacies while Canto said PIO should not divide the officials and instigate conflict among them.

Fabia asked the office of the city mayor to submit the documents so the budget can already be acted upon while Coquia said the city council already learned its lesson when it rushed to pass the 2021 budget on the promise of the mayor that the required document would follow. “The documents were not submitted,” she said.

Majority Leader  Fernandez attested that only some of the documents were submitted later by City Administrator Vladimir Mata.

Both Councilors Librada Reyna, who attempted but failed to block the resolution, and Cisco Jay Flores did not vote. Councilor Celia Lim, was absent.

PIO chief Gabriel Cardinoza’s reaction was sought but there was no response. (Leonardo Micua)

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