Seniors to take over Provincial Board for a day

SENIOR citizens are prepared for their soon–to–be session in the Benguet Board as officials for a day on October 1.

Senior Citizens Officials for Day (Scofad) members were oriented on the proper parliamentary procedures Thursday at the Provincial Capitol. Vice Governor Cresencio Pacalso served as speaker.

Governor Nestor Fongwan encouraged the Scofad to pass as many resolutions as they can during their session. He added the training on parliamentary procedures will enhance and refresh the knowledge of the officials to be.

Pacalso stated parliamentary procedures have only one concept which is respect; respect for the one speaking. He believes this concept would not be difficult to express as the Scofad members are seniors and leaders of their towns.

He explained the composition of a provincial board with 10 regular board members, three ex–officio and a presiding officer. He also explained abstention of the members in voting is only allowed when he has a personal interest on the topic.

The vice governor added a presiding officer is allowed to vote only when there is a tie of votes. This is to break the tie. “[The presiding officer] may or may not exercise this.”

Pacalso said the presiding officer is not allowed to debate on a topic because he is voted as vice governor and not as board member. He expressed this limitation is different from the privilege of the speaker of the House of Representatives to debate on any topic.

Pacalso said this is because the speaker was voted by the people as a representative too.

Pacalso also explained the measures when a presiding officer is absent or was appointed as the acting governor. He also described the rules of a special session to the Scofad.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Juana Bannawe revealed they were able to come up with the Scofad members through the recommendations of the different social workers from the 13 local government units of Benguet.

She said these social workers submitted the names of the recommended senior citizens to her office. With the list of names, Bannawe stressed they called on the senior citizens to report. During their appearance, the senior citizens voted on who will sit as governor, vice governor and so on.

The Scofad members who will replace the present officials on Oct. 1 are: Lino Daniel of Sablan (governor); Robert Cirilo of La Trinidad (vice governor); Guillermo Cholnuan of Atok (ABC representative); Alejo Buyagan of Kabayan (SK Federation); and the board members Benjamin Albo of Bakun, Slyvia Estolas of Tuba, Roberto Macido of Tublay, Melanio Billit of Itogon, Marcos Guibac of Kapangan, Carmen Gavino of Buguias, Mensi Pisando of Kibungan, Eliseo Ignacio of Mankayan, Juliano Mino, Sr. of Bokod, Jose Bandiwan of Kibungan, and Pedro Buyagao of Tuba.