Majority councilors snub city council session anew
THE councilors in the majority bloc in the Dagupan Sangguniang Panlungsod boycotted the October 31 regular session anew. In fact, it’s the fourth time they did it.
Their absence this time prevented the SP from acting on problems related to distribution of water supply in the city and the establishment of a maternity and children hospital.
The roll call was conducted twice but only Vice Mayor Bryan Kua, as the SP presiding officer, and Councilors Michael Fernandez, Jeslito Seen, Dennis Canto, Marcelino Fernandez, and Joshua Bugayong, all members of the minority bloc were present.
Those who were not in the session hall were Majority Leader Librada Reyna-Macalanda, and Councilors Redford Erfe-Mejia, Alipio Fernandez, Alvin Coquia, Celia Chua-Lim, Irene Lim-Acosta and Marilou Fernandez.
Invited to the session were officials of Pamana Water Corporation (PMC) and the regional office of the Department of Health-Center for Health Development 1 (DOH-CHD 1), led by Dr. Veronica Guadiz-De Guzman.
The Pamana officials were invited to discuss current water supply, the recent water interruption and the use of Pamana’s water tanks to deliver water to affected residents.
Meanwhile DOH-CHD 1 regional officials were invited to comment on the proposed resolution for the signing of a memorandum of agreement for the establishment of a Dagupan City Maternity and Children Hospital, to be funded by the national government at no cost to the Dagupan City government but to provide the hospital a lot for its location.
Also missed was the submission of the new set of controversial amendments to the House Rules of the chamber that the majority bloc pledged last October 24 to submit in last week’s session. The amendments seek to encroach on the powers and authority of the Presiding Officer, SP Secretary, and even the Local Chief Executive, as granted by the Local Government Code.
The SP majority wants to implement these substantial amendments via a simple manifestation instead of a resolution or ordinance, which they believed could be more readily vetoed by Mayor Fernandez.
In response, the minority bloc expressed their opposition by presenting a counter-manifestation against the amended House Rules. (Leonardo Micua)
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