ANOTHER SHOWDOWN AT DAGUPAN SP

ANOTHER showdown between the majority and minority members in the Sangguniang Panlungsod when majority passed resolution urging Mayor Belen Fernandez to use the P55 million remaining balance of the 2022 budget to fund the scholarship of all scholars approved by the previous administration.

The resolution (No. R-6225) sponsored by Councilor Redford Erfe-Mejia, was supported by Councilors Librada Reyna-Macalanda, Alvin Coquia, Marilou Fernandez, Celia Lim, Alipio Serafin Fernandez and Irene Lim-Acosta, all members of the majority.

But this was opposed by all members of the minority headed by Councilor and Minority Floor Leader Michael Fernandez, Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Liga ng mga  Barangay president Marcelino Fernandez and SK president Joshua Bugayong.

The resolution cited P102 million earmarked for the City Government Executive Scholarship Program, adding that the city has existing 2,031 scholars who qualified under the guidelines of City Ordinance4 No. 2210-2020 recently amended by City Ordinance No. 2246-2022.

Erfe-Mejia said they are asking Mayor Fernandez to release the remaining P55 million scholarship fund to pay for the tuition fees of scholars already enrolled in the first semester of the current year, whose parents were forced to incur loans to bankroll their tuition fees.

Councilor Fernandez objected to the resolution because it will only benefit the old and existing scholars, to the disadvantage of the scholars who qualified under Mayor Belen Fernandez’ administration.

According to Fernandez, under  Ordinance No. 2246-2022, some 5,000 poor and deserving students will have a chance to finish their college education but paying the tuition fees of only the old and existing scholars will discriminate against the new scholars.

On the other hand, Councilor Alfie Fernandez told the minority that 600 out of the  2,301 old and existing scholars, already graduated so their slots can be filled up by new scholars.

Meanwhile, Councilor Marcelino Fernandez said since the P55 million remaining scholarship fund will not be enough for the 5,000 scholars of the city, the proposed Supplemental Budget No. 1, that allots additional P100 million for the scholarship program can resolve the issue

Minority Leader Fernandez warned that the members of the majority are already encroaching on the powers of the mayor by dictating their terms when their role is limited to legislation.

When asked to react to the resolution, Mayor Fernandez said she will ignore the resolution and will instead continue her appeal to the majority to pass Supplemental Budget No. 1.

She warned that parents of the affected scholars are already considering to organize a protest rally against the majority because 2022 is already about to end and they still withholds approval of the Supplemental Budget No. 1 and 2023 annual budget. (Leonardo Micua)

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