Minutes of Sangguniang Panlungsod Session

EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE SANGGUNIANG PANLUNGSOD OF OLONGAPO, HELD ON JULY 29, 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. Sarah Lugerna Lipumano–Garcia - - - - “ “

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

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

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

Hon. Anselmo A. Aquino- - - - - - - - - - - - - - “ “

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

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

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

Absent:

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

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 ten (10) Members and the Presiding Officer present, a quorum was declared. However, Hon. Jonathan G. Manalo arrived during the reading of communications.

Reading and Adoption of Minutes

On motion of Councilor Gina G. Perez, the minutes of the regular session dated July 09, 2009 was adopted unanimously 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 item on 1st reading, to wit:

First Reading:

1. Draft Resolution No. 2009 R-080 – A Resolution Ratifying The Deed Of Transfer Of Ownership And Acceptance Of The Vehicle Donated By The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) To The City Of Olongapo For The Use In The Implementation Of The 6th Country Program On Population Strategy. Sponsored By Councilor Aquilino Y. Cortez, Jr. (Referred to the Committee as a Whole)

2. Draft Resolution No. 2009 R-081 – A Resolution Organizing The Local Move-men Opposed To VAW (Violence Against Women) Everywhere In Olongapo City. Sponsored By Councilor Ellen C. Dabu. (Referred to the Committee as a Whole)

Second Reading:

None.

Councilor Gie Baloy manifested to include in the 1st reading, “A Resolution Commending Ms. Dyezebel R. Dado For Her Invaluable Contributions To The City Of Olongapo As City Project Coordinator Of The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),” by unanimous sponsorship. (Referred to the Committee as a Whole)

Councilor Piano moved to include in the 1st reading, “A Resolution Designating Mr. Edward A. Artis As An Ambassador Of Goodwill For Olongapo City,” sponsored unanimously. (Referred to the Committee as a Whole)

He also manifested to include in the 1st reading, “A Resolution Commending Barangay Sta. Rita Rescue Unit For Winning The Regional Kalasag Urban Categories.” Sponsored unanimously. (Referred to the Committee as a Whole)

With no other observations/comments, the Day’s Agenda was unanimously approved as amended.

Communications and Referrals of Business

Communications Read:

1. Barangay Resolution No. 24, Series of 2009 of Barangay East Bajac-Bajac, Olongapo City, entitled, “A Resolution Requesting For Scrapped Wood Materials From SBMA For Wood Crafting Livelihood.” (Referred to the Committee on Livelihood)

2. Barangay Resolution No. 21, Series of 2009 of Brgy. West Bajac-Bajac, Olongapo City entitled, “A Resolution Requesting The Sangguniang Panlungsod Of Olongapo City To Bequeath Or Declare As Barangay Property The Public Lot Bounded by 20th Street, Davidson Street, Mabayuan River And Lot Occupied By Nellie E. Brown Elementary School, Containing An Area Of 4,549 Square Meters For The Use Of The Barangay Council Of West Bajac-Bajac As Barangay Hall Complex.” (Referred to the Committees on Lands and on Public Works and Engineering)

3. Subpoena from Atty. Gerry R. Gruspe, Clerk of Court V, Regional Trial Court, Third Judicial Region, Branch 72, Olongapo City, addressed to the Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlungsod regarding the Civil Case No. 118-0-2009. (Referred to the City Legal Office for its proper representation)

4. Letter from Brgy. Captain Rafael R. Santulan, Jr. of Brgy. West Bajac-Bajac, addressed to the Hon. City Vice Mayor Cynthia G. Cajudo requesting her to prioritize the Barangay Resolution No. 21, Series of 2009 entitled, “A Resolution Requesting The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Olongapo City To Bequeath Or Declare As Barangay Property The Public Lot Bounded By 20th Street, Davidson Street, Mabayuan River And Lot Occupied By Nellie E. Brown Elementary School, Containing An Area Of 4,549 Square Meters For The Use Of The Barangay Council Of West Bajac-Bajac As Barangay Hall Complex.” (Referred to the Committees on Lands and on Public Works and Engineering)

5. First Endorsement from the Hon. City Mayor James Gordon, Jr., addressed to the Hon. City Vice Mayor Cynthia G. Cajudo and Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod the attached draft of the Resolution designating Mr. Edward A. Artis as an Ambassador of Goodwill for Olongapo City. (Referred to Councilor Piano and to the Committee as a Whole)

6. Memorandum from City Engineer Roberto E. Alvarez for Hon. City Mayor James Gordon Jr. regarding Ordinance No. 24-A, Series of 1998 seeking his approval for the implementation of this ordinance. (Referred to the Committee on Public Works and Engineering)

7. Memorandum from City Mayor James Gordon Jr., addressed to All Department Heads and Head of Offices And City Government Employees informing them that the Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) has designed a special training program for city government officials and employees who wish to be Army Reservists. The Program shall entail a week-end (Saturday & Sunday) training for a period of four (4) months which will be held at the Gordon College campus and/or Subic Bay Freeport Zone. Candidate for the service training shall be provided with a free set of uniform and food during the course of their training however candidates who enlisted for training but later on back-out from the program shall be liable to reimburse the actual cost of the training. So, in view of the foregoing, all interested officials and employees who wish to enlist as Army Reservist are hereby advised to register at the Office of the City Mayor. (For information)

8. Letter from Councilor. Jong Cortez and Committee Chairman on the Environment, Hon. Gie Baloy, City Councilor, Committee Vice-Chairman on the Environment, addressed to the Hon. City Vice Mayor Cynthia G. Cajudo requesting for the transcription of the minutes of the meeting held last July 07, 2009 at the Session Hall regarding the hearing on the rehabilitation and improvement of the existing city-controlled dump site and its conversion into a sanitary landfill. (Referred to the staff for compliance)

9. Comment To The Motion To Dismiss And Deferment Of Proceedings on the Ferdinand B. Aquino, complainant vs. Brgy. Capt. Carlito A. Baloy, respondent; on the Adm. Case No. 03(6-10-09); Sotero S. Dabu, et. al., complainant vs. Brgy. Capt. Carlito A. Baloy, et. al., respondents on the Adm Case No. 04 (6-11-09); Agustin Dataylo, Jr., complainant, vs. Brgy. Captain Carlito A. Baloy, et. al., respondents on the Adm. Case No. 05 (6-11-09); Sotero S. Dabu, et. al., complainants vs. Brgy. Captain Carlito A. Baloy, respondent on the Adm. Case No. 06 (6-11-09), submitted by Eduardo A. Mendoza, Plaintiff Counsel.

10. Letter addressed to the Vice Mayor from Back-up Events and Productions of Olongapo City asking to sponsor a concept show Michael and Me on Sept. 11, 2009 at the Olongapo City Convention Center. Proceeds will benefit the Wheel Chairs for the World Philippines. (Referred to the Committee on Social Welfare)

Committee Reports

None.

Calendar of Business

None

Other Matters

A. Draft Resolution No. 2009 R-080 – A Resolution Ratifying The Deed Of Transfer Of Ownership And Acceptance Of The Vehicle Donated By The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) To The City Of Olongapo For The Use In The Implementation Of The 6th Country Program On Population Strategy. Sponsored By Councilor Aquilino Y. Cortez, Jr.

The proponent explained to his colleagues that they passed before Resolution No. 94, Series of 2009, entitled “A Resolution Authorizing The City Mayor James Gordon, Jr. To Accept And Receive The Deed Of Donated Vehicle By United Nations Population Fund To The City Of Olongapo For Use In The Implementation Of 6th Country Program On Population Strategy ”, and the Office of the City Mayor sent a communication to the council – a draft of the deed of transfer of ownership for the said vehicle. He made a motion that they pass as urgent “A Resolution Ratifying The Deed Of Transfer Of Ownership And Acceptance Of The Vehicle Donated By The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) To The City Of Olongapo For Use In The Implementation Of The 6th Country Program On Population Strategy.”

The Presiding Officer asked the members if there were any comments and observations, since there was none, she inquired from the proponent if he has a copy of the deed of transfer of ownership and acceptance.

Councilor Cortez replied that he will seek the understanding of the body if they can sign the resolution once the Hon. Mayor has signed the deed of ownership, as well as the representative from the UNFPA. He requested to call for a recess.

The Presiding Officer declared recess at 5:09 in the afternoon, and the discussions resumed at 5:11.

B. When the session resumed, the body tackled “A Resolution Commending Ms. Dyezebel R. Dado For Her Invaluable Contributions To The City Of Olongapo As City Project Coordinator Of The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).” On motion of Councilor Angelito W. Baloy, the body considered the matter as urgent.

As a backgrounder, Councilor Baloy cited that Ms. Dyezebel Dado has been with our city since 2007 up to present. According to him, it is Ms. Dado’s last day in the city, and through her leadership, inter-agencies of the city government were able to accomplish a lot of projects. He added that they admired her leadership, assertiveness, hard work, and is also outstanding in delivering tasks at hand. He requested the body not to look at the organization Ms. Dado is representing, but her leadership, and what the City of Olongapo had attained and accomplished under her direction.

Councilor delos Reyes, on the other hand, commented that he cannot sponsor a resolution involving UNFPA, an organization which he consistently opposed from the beginning. In addition, he said that he would suggest that they should not sponsor resolutions and ordinances unanimously, since it defeats the very essence of sponsoring the same. He added that resolutions and ordinances should be sponsored by one, two, or three individuals only, for easy reference, because if every body sponsors, there is no focal person(s) to draw or get information from.

The Presiding Officer recognized the comments of Councilor delos Reyes that he does not approve of being one of the sponsors of the aforesaid resolution. She asked the proponent if they could add the premise “Resolved further…,” not only to commend Ms. Dado, but UNFPA as well.

Councilor delos Reyes inquired to clarify the previous statement of the proponent – “Let us not look at the organization she represents, but the person who works hard.”

Councilor delos Reyes pointed-out that he does not have anything personal against the subject of the resolution. He further explained to his colleagues that the UNFPA, United Nations Fund for Population Activities, does not have any role in the city or country. First of all, 1.68 % growth rate is low, considering the jobs that are being promised in SBMA. Second, there is no over-population. Third, there is no clear policies concerning over-population, for the policies that are being pushed by these agencies are anti-poor, anti-Filipino, and eventually will lead to that situation like Singapore, where they are begging immigration now because they have implemented strong population policies, to the point that they have zero growth. He further cited that the money and efforts are just wasted, since these agencies are trying to control our policies, even national policies. He opined that when the mayor pronounces that we are over-populated, it is not accurate since we are not.

The Presiding Officer asked the proponent if he wants to furnish a copy to the UNFPA. The proponent answered yes.

Without further deliberations, the draft resolution was approved by majority vote, on its second and final reading, on motion of Councilor Angelito W. Baloy.

Councilor John Carlos G. delos Reyes opposed this resolution.

Going back to the unfinished matter discussed earlier, Councilor Cortez manifested that as per the Office of the City Mayor and Atty. Batch Perez, they cannot forego with the approval of such resolution and requested for its deferment which was approved by the body.

Councilor delos Reyes brought up that he received letters from concerned citizens regarding the approved resolution on the installation of the cell sites by Sun Cellular. He said that it is a personal concern, and he will act on it, but, better if they would start addressing the matter. He added that he is going to write the City Planning Office inquiring on how many cellular sites are there in the city, as well as Sun Cellular, Smart, and Globe regarding their safety precautions before putting in cell sites, so that they will know if there are requirements/requisites before they install. He further pointed-out that according to the research done by the concerned individuals, radiation poses immense danger to our health, which is why it should not be put up in populated areas.

The Presiding Officer, in return, explained that she is aware that there was a letter of petition, addressed to the City Council, and it was referred to Councilor Piano. The letter had pictures, as well as different articles on the adverse effects of radiation. She commented that since Councilor Piano is the sponsor, she does not know what they can do about it.

Councilor Piano requested for a copy of the aforementioned petition letter, since he was not able to get a copy of the same.

Adjournment

There being no other matters to be discussed, the session was adjourned at 5:20 in the afternoon, on motion of Councilor Anselmo A. Aquino

I HEREBY CERTIFY TO THE

CORRECTNESS OF THE FOREGOING:

ELFLIDA S. SALMON

Council Secretary

ATTEST:

CYNTHIA G. CAJUDO

City Vice-Mayor & Presiding Officer