THE five-man minority in the Sangguniang Panlungsod abstained from voting when the majority passed a resolution echoing the “sentiments” of residents, students and traders affected by the elevation of roads and drainage system on Arellano Street and A. B. Fernandez Avenue East.

Councilor Michael Fernandez, majority floor leader, asked for more time for the minority to study the context of the submitted resolution since the committee on public works and infrastructures headed by Councilor Alvin Coquia has yet to schedule its third and last public consultation on the ongoing DPWH projects.

But the majority forced a division of the house, resulting in 7 in favor, 5 abstention. (Fernandez, Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Marcelino Fernandez and Joshua Bugayong abstained).

The resolution, co-authored by all majority councilors, cited the difficulties of residents, students and traders in coping with their daily activities, from going to school and in running their business since the start of the construction of the projects.

Written entirely in Pilipino, the resolution cited Section 16 of the Local Government Code, which provides that all local government units shall exercise powers expressly granted x x x as well as those powers necessary, appropriate or incidental for the efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential for the promotion of public welfare”.

The resolution conveyed the request of residents for the discontinuance of the projects because of the “intense hardship not only to the residents of the areas where these are located, but all the residents of the whole city of Dagupan.”

The seven-man majority also cited Section 5 and Section 11, Article  2 of the 1987 constitution.

The resolution also claimed that the ongoing DPWH projects were done without any public consultation and the knowledge of the SP. (Leonardo Micua)

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