Minutes of Sangguniang Panlungsod Session

EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF OLONGAPO, HELD ON MAY 20, 2009 AT THE CITY HALL

Present:

Hon. Cynthia G. Cajudo- - - - - - - - - - - - - - City Vice-Mayor & Presiding Officer

Hon. Gina G. Perez - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - City Councilor

Hon. John Carlos G. Delos Reyes- - - - - - - - “ “

Hon. Rodel S. Cerezo- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “

Hon. Edwin J. Piano - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “

Hon. Angelito W. Baloy - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “

Hon. Elena C. Dabu- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “

Hon. Jonathan G. Manalo - - - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “

Absent:

Hon. Sarah Lugerna Lipumano–Garcia - - - - City Councilor

Hon. Aquilino Y. Cortez, Jr.- - - - - - - - - - - - “ “

(On Official Travel Abroad)

Hon. Anselmo A. Aquino- - - - - - - - - - - - - - City Councilor

Hon. Carlito A. Baloy- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - President, Liga ng mga Barangay

(On Official Business)

Hon. Cheenee F. Hoya- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - SK Federation President

(On Official Business)

Call to Order

The City Vice-Mayor and Presiding Officer Cynthia G. Cajudo called the session to order at 4:40 in the afternoon.

Roll Call

With seven (7) members and the Presiding Officer present, a quorum was declared.

Reading and Adoption of Minutes

On motion of Councilor Gina Perez, the minutes of the regular session dated May 13, 2009 was deferred by the body.

Reading and Approval of the Day’s Agenda

Before the approval of the day’s agenda, Councilor Rodel S. Cerezo read the items on 1st and 2nd reading, to wit:

First Reading:

1. Draft Resolution No. 2009 R-057 – A Resolution Authorizing The City Mayor To Enter Into A Memorandum Of Agreement With FinAsia Land And Realty Corporation For The Conduct Of Study For The Rehabilitation Of East Bajac-Bajac (EBB) Public Market. Sponsored By Councilor Ellen C. Dabu. (Referred to the Committees on Markets and on Business)

2. Draft Ordinance No. 2009 O-24 – An Ordinance Appropriating The Amount Of Six Hundred Ninety Five Thousand Eight Hundred Forty Pesos (PhP695,840.00) To The Item 5% Calamity Fund Under Maintenance And Other Operating Expenses Of The Office Of The City Mayor To Be Taken From The Unappropriated Balance Of The General Fund. Sponsored By Councilor Jonathan G. Manalo. (Referred to the Committee on Appropriations)

Second Reading:

1. Draft Ordinance No. 2009 O-23 – An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 9, Series Of 2006 Entitled “An Ordinance Prescribing The Guidelines For The Renewal Of Computerized Driver’s ID Card For Motorized Public Utility Vehicles” To Include Free And Mandatory Medical Check-Up And Issuance Of Health Clearance. Sponsored By Councilors Aquilino Y. Cortez, Jr. And Angelito W. Baloy.

Councilor Dabu manifested to include in the first reading, “A Resolution Expressing Appreciation, Commendation And Gratitude To The Free Medical And Dental Outreaches And Other Humanitarian Efforts Extended By The Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Subic Through Their “Project Life” Program To The People Of Olongapo.” Unanimous Sponsorship (Referred to the Committee as a Whole)

Councilor Cerezo moved to include in the first reading, “A Resolution Expressing Sorrow Over The Passing Away Of Mrs. Felicidad Basa Mercado And Condoling With Her Bereaved Family.” Unanimous Sponsorship (Referred to the Committee as a Whole)

The body unanimously approved the Day’s Agenda as amended.

Communications and Referrals of Business

Communications Read:

1. Copy of the Compost, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, a project of the City of Olongapo headed by City Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. (For information)

2. Invitation from the Subic Bay Resorts Association in coordination with the Beach Boulevard Business Ass’n. and the Olongapo Business Club, Inc. regarding the Sibit-Sibit Festival 2009, Beach Boulevard, Barretto, Olongapo City on May 22-23, 2009. (For information)

3. Invitation from Ervyn J.C. Rivera, Unit Head, Industrial Relations Unit, Clark Development Corporation for a coordination meeting on May 20, 2009, 10:00 a.m. at Acacia 2, Monte Vista, Mimosa Leisure Estate, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. This is in line with the planned Regional Congress on Employment and Education (also known as the Regional Congress on Job Mismatch) to be held in Clark in August this year. (Referred to the Committee on Livelihood)

4. Executive Order No. 25, Series of 2009: Creation Of Olongapo City Task Force Guam issued by Hon. James Gordon, Jr. composed of Sangguniang Panlungsod City Councilor Edwin J. Piano as Chairman; Ronnie Lopez, Vice-Chair; Members: Honorio Gomez, Olongapo City Mall; Evelyn delos Santos, P E S O; Damian delos Santos, EBB Public Market; Jaime L. Mendoza, Consultant, Mayor’s Office (For information and guidance)

5. Summary Report of OLO-CAS Project as of May 19, 2009 reported by Mr. Andy T. Yuson, Geodata Project Manager. (Referred to the Committee on IT)

6. Copy of the List of Requirements For Most Business-Friendly LGU from the Mayor’s Office. (Referred to the Committee on Business)

7. Copy of Barangay Resolutions of Brgy. East Bajac-Bajac, both Series of 2009:

a. Resolution No. 15, entitled: “A Resolution Authorizing The Barangay Treasurer To Withdraw Five Thousand Pesos (PhP5,000.00) Representing The Barangay East Bajac-Bajac Counterpart For Food Of The Two (2) Qualified Teachers Who Teaches MSEP In OCES Who Will Have Summer Class.” (Referred to the Committee on Appropriations)

b. Resolution No. 16, entitled: “A Resolution Authorizing The Barangay Treasurer To Withdraw Three Thousand Pesos (PhP3,000.00) For Sixty (60) Pack Lunch At Fifty (PhP50.00) Each Pack For The Volunteers For Children’s Welfare Inc.” (Referred to the Committee on Social Welfare)

8. Invitation to all City Councilors on the Coronation Night Search For Mutya ng Sta. Rita, May 20, 2009. (For information of everyone)

9. Letter from Hon. Aquilino “Jong” Y. Cortez, Jr. for Vice Mayor Cajudo endorsing to the Office of the Vice Mayor the review, endorsement and/or approval of renewal and transfer of public utility vehicles franchises during his official trip to the United Kingdom from May 17 to July 4, 2009. (For information and guidance)

10. Committee Report – 026 of Councilor Angelito W. Baloy as Chair of the Committee on Business and Economic Enterprises and Health and Public Welfare.

11. Letter from Kim De Guzman, Ms. Bikini Philippines World 2009, Official Candidate to the Mini Bikini World 2009 in Malta, Europe, seeking sponsorship and financial support.

12. City Mayor’s request for an appropriation ordinance in the amount of PhP695,840.00 to the item 5% Calamity Fund under Maintenance And Other Operating Expenses of the Office of the City Mayor to be taken from the Unappropriated Balance of the General Fund and repealing Ordinance No. 16, Series of 2009. (Referred to the Committee on Appropriations)

13. Seminar on Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) from Angie Socorro Barroga, OIC, City Personnel Office.

Committee Reports

As Chair of the Committee on Health and Public Welfare, Councilor Gie Baloy said that a meeting among the members of the City Nutrition Council was held in preparation for the upcoming regional evaluation of our city’s health-related programs.

According to the councilor, our City Nutrition Action Officer Richelle Torralba, in the past months, has been preparing for the said evaluation. She has been doing rounds in various barangays and collecting information and statistics which could help the city attain high points in the regional evaluation. Last year was a very good year for the City Nutrition Council, since various feeding programs were commenced, the BEMONC ordinance was implemented, providing maternal and child health services, livelihood assistance and micro-nutrient supplementation were maintained, and nutrition advocacy was intensified.

The councilor also added that schools, barangays, and residences were encouraged to establish fruit and vegetable gardens and nurseries in their backyards so that they may have an immediate supply of food as an immediate and practical remedy for malnutrition. De-worming and immunization efforts in the barangay health centers were also being maintained.

Councilor Baloy disclosed that the committee has also distributed several communications to the Department of Trade and Industry, Schools Division Office, barangay captains, and barangay councilors on health enjoining them to be vigilant in over-seeing the schools within their jurisdiction and the vendors surrounding the campuses. As we all know, almost anything under the sun is being sold outside school campuses – from toxic toys to unclean food, which significantly contributes to poor nutrition and illness of the students, he added. In the light of this matter, another set of communications were sent to schools, which endorses the removal of junk foods in their respective canteens and encourages the use of iodized salt in cooked food preparation.

The councilor announced that come June 02, 2009, representatives from the regional office of the Department of Health shall visit our city and evaluate our city nutrition action plans and programs. He stressed that it is with hope that we finally meet their standards and achieve a high commendation for our efforts and pave way for the realization of more nutrition-related undertakings for this year for the benefit of our constituents.

Calendar of Business

1. Draft Ordinance No. 2009 O-23 – “An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 9, Series Of 2006 Entitled “An Ordinance Prescribing The Guidelines For The Renewal Of Computerized Driver’s ID Card For Motorized Public Utility Vehicles” To Include Free And Mandatory Medical Check-Up And Issuance Of Health Clearance,” was tabled by the body, on motion of Councilor Angelito W. Baloy, in behalf of the Committee Chair on Transportation.

Other Matters

A. Draft Ordinance No. 2009 O-24 – “An Ordinance Appropriating The Amount Of Six Hundred Ninety Five Thousand Eight Hundred Forty Pesos (PhP695,840.00) To The Item 5% Calamity Fund Under Maintenance And Other Operating Expenses Of The Office Of The City Mayor To Be Taken From The Unappropriated Balance Of The General Fund.”

Councilor JC Delos Reyes requested that the proponent explain the historical background concerning the matter.

Councilor Manalo justified that last February 18, 2009, the council members passed Ordinance No.7 – an ordinance appropriating PhP3,000,000.00 for the repair of BFP trucks. Similarly, last March 25, 2009, we passed an ordinance amending a previous ordinance, for the change in title and breakdown, wherein the 5% calamity fund was provided to augment the deficiency in the 2009 Annual Budget but when our budget was submitted to the Department of Budget and Management, DBM required that a separate budget should be appropriated for the calamity fund which will only be used for calamities in the city. The councilor mentioned that in Ordinance No.7, we used the fund for the repair of the fire trucks. The PhP3 million-peso budget will be used to subsidize the repair of the trucks, so, we will only need to appropriate PhP695,840.00 to augment the deficit in the calamity funds for this year.

The Presiding Officer said that the appropriation will be used to replenish what has been taken from the calamity fund. In clarification, she asked the proponent if the PhP695,840.00 budget was taken from the calamity fund.

The proponent replied that the Department of Budget and Management said that it is not allowed, so we have to appropriate a separate 5 % calamity fund, which cannot be used unless Olongapo is declared under state of calamity.

The Presiding Officer further asked Councilor Manalo as to where the PhP695,840.00 budget came from.

From the unappropriated balance of the general fund, answered the proponent.

With no other comments from the body, Draft Ordinance No. 2009-O-24 was approved unanimously on its second and final reading, on motion of Councilor Jonathan G. Manalo.

B. “A Resolution Expressing Appreciation, Commendation And Gratitude To The Free Medical And Dental Outreaches And Other Humanitarian Efforts Extended By The Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Subic Through Their “Project Life” Program To The People Of Olongapo.” was considered by the body as an urgent matter and was approved unanimously, in its second and final reading, on motion of Councilor Elena C. Dabu.

C. “A Resolution Expressing Sorrow Over The Passing Away Of Mrs. Felicidad Basa Mercado And Condoling With Her Bereaved Family,” was considered by the body as an urgent matter.

According to the Presiding Officer, Mrs. Mercado is the mother of Atty. Lamberto Mercado, Dr. Asis, and Dr. Glenna Mercado of the James Gordon Memorial Hospital.

Councilor Delos Reyes asked the Presiding Officer if the late Mrs. Mercado served the city in a public capacity.

The Presiding Officer replied that she served the city as a community leader, and most of her children are working in our community.

Draft resolution was approved unanimously on its second and final reading, on motion of Councilor Rodel S. Cerezo.

D. After discussing the days agenda, the Presiding Officer asked the members of the body to remain after the adjournment to discuss the activities regarding the Palawan trip.

She informed her colleagues that she received an invitation from Punta de Uian, which will be having its ribbon-cutting ceremony on the 23rd of May, 2009, to celebrate the grand opening of the resort and spa. The Vice-Mayor invited the Members of the Council for the said affair.

Adjournment

There being no further matters to be discussed, the session was adjourned at 5:15 in the afternoon, on motion of Councilor Rodel S. Cerezo.

I HEREBY CERTIFY TO THE

CORRECTNESS OF THE FOREGOING:

ELFLIDA S. SALMON

Council Secretary

ATTEST:

CYNTHIA G. CAJUDO

City Vice-Mayor & Presiding Officer