By Farah G. Decano

 

IN times of calamities, Dagupan City councilors must shed their comfort zones, truly empathize with their constituents’ struggles, and offer tangible support.

“Mikikikasey tan mililitna kami ed sikayo!” — “We empathize and are with you!” Wasn’t this their rallying cry during the campaign period?

Yes, we see them attending sessions. But must the public be satisfied with the minimum?

With a monthly compensation of more than P107,000 plus a monthly allowance of P14,500, we want our Dagupan City Councilors to also study the proposed legislations, conduct public hearings, and reasonably give an informed yes or no.

We also want our City councilors to genuinely assist the city, independent of the Mayor’s office. They shouldn’t solely rely on resources provided by the city or the mayor. If that’s their approach, they might as well have sought appointive positions, where they would indeed serve as the Mayor’s alter ego.

Like all other local government councilors, Dagupan City councilors sought their mandate. This means they should leverage their connections and creativity to benefit the city. After all, didn’t they present themselves as capable of delivering assistance?

I recall former Councilors Jess Canto, Dennis Canto, Cisco Flores, Jigs Seen, and Maybelyn Fernandez as examples of councilors who did far more than just attend sessions. Councilors Jess and Dennis Canto conducted their medical missions throughout their terms; Councilor Cisco Flores continued his feeding projects; Councilor Jigs Seen distributed bread; and Councilor Maybelyn provided calamity aid through the Red Cross. They didn’t wait for the Mayor’s charity before taking action because they were resourceful enough to pool their own supplies.

When I served as a city councilor, I either borrowed a truck from clients or rented one to provide free rides to Dagupeños during floods. I also collaborated with NGOs from Manila to deliver relief goods to affected barangays. I didn’t rely on the Mayor all the time because I understood I had a separate mandate.

Imagine if we had all ten councilors using their own resources to help the citizens, then our city would be a winner.

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This term, Dagupan City Councilors benefit from two significant advantages that should ease their workload: (1) the advent of Artificial Intelligence, which can reduce legislation drafting from days to mere seconds; and (2) the absence of stressful opposition, with only one member from the opposing camp.

With the legislative process now largely unproblematic, Dagupan councilors can fully concentrate on their other crucial functions, especially constituency and advocacy. There’s very little excuse now for not performing these essential tasks.

To those who are still focused on superficial gestures: learn your job. Running for councilor is not a joke. One does not ride on all the time on the popularity of the Mayor or Vice Mayor.  The people expect you to help the city through your own efforts.

It’s not enough to simply monitor and livestream flood-stricken areas on social media. We have vloggers, media, and concerned citizens for that. Unless your “monitoring” is accompanied by an offer of assistance or a proposed legislation, such activity is merely for show – a bid for popularity or superficial credit.

Dagupan City Councilors, it is time for you to shine from your own radiance and not merely reflect the mayor’s or vice mayor’s

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