DESPITE the walkout by members of the majority bloc when she addressed the Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod on the invitation of Vice Mayor Bryan Kua to explain and field  questions from the councilors pertaining to the 2023 annual city budget, Mayor Belen Fernandez is still confident that the city’s annual appropriation will eventually be passed.

“For me, I have not lost hope that the annual budget will be eventually passed,” said Fernandez in the belief that the seven majority councilors also promised to the people who elected them to office “to serve them in the best way they can.”

But she admitted that in case the budget will not be passed, she has already a contingency plan to be put into effect so that new projects can still be built in Dagupan for the benefit of the people.

Anticipating this problem, Fernandez  said she approached several senators last year to request for nationally-funded projects for the city.

Among the pledges she was able to solicit included P20-million fund to ease the flooding in Pogo Chico from Senator Francis Tolentino; P20 million for development project along De Venecia Highway from Senator Jinggoy Estrada, P20 million for the construction of the One Bonuan Pavillon to be built between Bonuan Binloc and Bonuan Boquig from Senator Riza Hontiveros; P5 million for the purchase of either a freezer van or freezer truck from Senator Imee Marcos; P 20 to P30 million for the construction of the Science  Building at the Dagupan City National  High School from Senator Sonny Angara.

Abono Partylist Congressman Robert Estrella Jr. also pledged P30 million for a new school building at DCNHS in addition to the support of the Department of Budget and Management and Fourth District Congressman Christopher de Venecia.

Reacting to the events during her appearance at the SP, she took a swipe at Councilor Redford Erfe-Mejia over his claim that she and her department heads, did not attend the scheduled hearings for which official invitations were issued.

“Saan ka ba nakakita na siya ang nagpapadala ng invitation direct to the department heads, hindi dumaan sa vice mayor, ang head ng Sangguniang Panlungsod, at  hindi dumaan sa mayor?” she intoned.

She said she would have told Erfe-Mejia off if he did not walk out last Tuesday that he arrogated unto himself the duties of a vice mayor and as a city mayor in one roll, of which he is not.

Fernandez reminded Erfe-Mejia publicly to course his invitation to department heads instead to Vice Mayor Bryan Kua, presiding officer of the SP, who in turn will be the one to invite her to the SP in accordance with the local government code, saying “respect begets respect”.

On the “walk -out” of the seven councilors in the majority, Fernandez said they showed their natural upbringing… they showed they have no respect for the city mayor and everybody else. (Leonardo Micua)

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