Monday, September 24, 2007 City Council to decide on heeding mayor’s order
VICE Mayor Michael Rama said it is the Cebu City councilors’ discretion whether or not they should observe the executive order not to honor a barangay council member’s request unless approved by the majority.
This, after City Councilor Rodrigo Abellanosa asked if they were also bound by the order Mayor Tomas Osmeña issued Friday last week.
Executive Order 07-85 directed all department heads “not to honor or approve any request by any member of the barangay councils unless it is signed by the majority members of the barangay council or by a resolution approved by them.”
It was made after the executive department learned that several requests made by individual barangay council members were made without their colleagues’ knowledge.
“This lack of transparency has resulted in complaints and misunderstanding among the officials and members of the barangays,” the mayor said.
Abellanosa asked for Rama’s guidance because though the order was addressed to City department heads, each city councilor accommodates requests by their constituents, including barangay officials.
Policy
“We also receive several requests from the barangays. Would we also do the same (refuse those without the concurrence of the majority of barangay council members)? Are we going to adopt this policy of the executive (department)?” he said.
Leaders or allied barangay officials often approach them for projects before city councilors endorse requests to the executive department.
And city councilors sponsor resolutions for allocations only after the mayor gives his consent and annotates requests on where funding should be taken.
“You are not department heads, you are council members. It is your call, you decide whether to endorse (requests) or not. Do your own assessment,” Rama said in response to Abellanosa’s question.
City Administrator Francisco Fernandez said there were instances when assistance that City Hall gave was not put to good use because the barangay council did not know about it.
The order intends to make it fair for all to receive funds, goods and services from the City. (RHM)
