Mayor Belen tells Erfe-Mejia: Observe basic protocol
MAYOR Belen T. Fernandez has called on members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to observe proper protocol by addressing all their invitations to officials of the executive branch to their sessions to her as head of the local government unit, to ensure smooth flow of communication.
In her letter to Vice Mayor Bryan Kua and members of the SP dated January 18, 2023, a copy of which was obtained by THE PUNCH, Fernandez stressed that as chief executive, she exercises administration, and supervision over department heads in implementing all programs, projects, services and activities of the city,
Fernandez noted with dismay that Councilor Redford Erfe-Mejia, chairman of the finance, budget and appropriations committee has been sending invitations to attend committee hearings of the Sangguniang Panlungsod directly to department heads, not to her office.
She reminded the councilors that the invitations must state the name of office being invited to, the reason/s for the invitation, and to list questions that the Sanggunian wishes a department to address.
And as protocol dictates, Mayor Fernandez asked that all invitations coming from the Sanggunian Panlungsod be signed by the City Vice Mayor as presiding officer, not by a mere committee chairman.
The issuance of invitations to department heads by Councilor Erfe-Mejia was among the issues discussed during the Local Development Council meeting at Star Plaza Hotel on January 16, 2023, attended by barangay captains, department heads, heads of civil society organizations and seven city councilors. (Erfe-Mejia sent a representative).
The LDC noted the way department heads were being invited to attended the committee hearing on the annual budget by Erfe-Mejia. Even Mayor Fernandez was invited by the councilor to attend such committee meeting.
Even Councilor and Minority Floor Leader Michael Fernandez said it did not invoked accountabilities in the invitations to resource speakers, a fact that was borne out by the committee report of Erfe-Mejia that said no department head again attended the scheduled committee hearing on the annual budget last January 17. (Leonardo Micua)
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