Dads ask Lim: Order Sta. Maria to appear before SP

By November 14, 2021Inside News

THE Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) passed a resolution asking Mayor Brian Lim to authorize Aguedo Sta, Maria, the city market supervisor, to appear at its November 16 session to shed light on the complaint of small-scale vendors that they are being made to pay P100 worth of cash tickets daily, P80 more than the prescribed P20 as provided in  the revised revenue code of 2006.

Councilors Teresa Coquia and Luis Samson Jr. moved for the approval of Resolution 6109 addressed to Mayor Lim because Sta. Maria continued to ignore the invitation of the SP to  appear in its session to clarify the issues that affected the livelihood of the fish vendors.

She said while Sta. Maria explained some issues in a radio interview with broadcaster Orly Navarro, he is still accountable to explain all issues before the city council.

“Why does he think he can simply explain to Orly Navarro when Orly Navarro is not the Sanggunian?” asked  Coquia, chairperson of the SP’s committee on market. She said she was also invited in that radio program but she did not go precisely because the issues were raised at the sanggunian, and should, therefore, be settled at the sanggunian.

“Why is Mr. Aguedo Sta. Maria afraid to face us? This issue brought up by the vendors could have long been settled had he came and honored our invitation,” Coquia said.

Samson agreed with Coquia’s stand that since the issues raised by the vendors at the city council, Sta. Maria should respond and settle the questions in the SP and not anywhere else.

Samson earlier queried: “if only P20 cash ticket is provided for in the ordinance and the vendors are being charged P100 worth of cash tickets daily, where is the rest of the amount  (P80) going—is it to the city coffer or somebody’s pocket?”

When City Legal Officer Terrence Marata explained the absence of Sta. Maria being on medical leave, Coquia rebuffed him the explanation that Sta. Maria’s medical leave did not prevent him from doing  interviews.

Coquia also asked why Sta. Maria was doing all the talking on the vendors’ issues when he was on medical leave and Randolph Ubando, OIC market supervisor, has not appeared to talk to the city council.

Majority leader  Michael Fernandez also wondered who really is calling the shots in the City Market Administration between the two and wants the city’s Human Resources Office to make the clarification.

Meanwhile, Councilor Jose Netu Tamayo, the acting presiding officer, said he received the  written reply of Ubando to the letter sent to him by the SP and it will be discussed in this week’s session. (Leonardo Micua )

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments