Wednesday, September 12, 2007 Council lists 20 priorities in legislative agenda By Grace L. Plata
THE Davao City Council has prioritized 20 programs in its legislative agenda out of 200 individual proposals during a recent planning session held in Manila.
The first three of the 20 priority agenda deal with the city's economic development. These are the enactment of the Tourism Code of Davao City; enhancing agricultural growth through sustainable agriculture; and updating the Investment Code to include information and communications technology.
This was contained in the report made by Councilor Peter T. Laviña on the Metro Manila trip of the councilors had over the weekend.
For the environment, the concrete plans are to enact the Environment Code and Fisheries Code and adoption of a sewerage system for the city.
Updating of local measures on taxes, fees and charges and providing more benefits to city employees will be the council's priority in terms of finance.
For infrastructure and urban planning concerns, the council will prioritize the updating of the city's comprehensive development plan as well as the Zoning Ordinance, creation of the Davao City Zoo, and the "Patubig sa Barangay" potable waster system.
According to Laviña, City Planning and Development Officer Mario Luis Jacinto was with them in Manila to help harmonize local and national development plans with existing policies to come up with plans that are not contradictory to the city's development direction.
For peace and public safety concerns, the City Council wants proper use of the Streets Ordinance of Davao City as well as to pass a measure controlling karaoke bars.
In terms of public administration, the council's priority is the establishment of new city facilities and institutions such as the city college, city hospital and an overland transport terminal. It also wants the establishment of a public safety department and the Davao City Sports Commission.
As for social services and development, the priorities is the setting up of a comprehensive health care system in the city; enhancingt legislation and programs for women and children; enacting the Older Person's Welfare Code of Davao City; and enacting the Food Safety Code of Davao City.
Aside from crafting its priority agenda, the council also took time to write its vision-mission statement, which Laviña said will serve as guide in crafting policies that will benefit the city and its residents.
Laviña added that the expense report of their trip is available through the council secretariat and open for the public's scrutiny.
The council, through Laviña, also assured that public that no new budget was shelled out to fund the trip and the funding in fact was taken out of each member's allocation for travel expenses. Laviña proceeded to say the public is also assured that the money was properly spent.
Aside from the legislative planning, the City Council also went to Manila in support of the Philippine Travel Mart where Davao City is one of the exhibitors.
Councilor Susan Isabel Reta, chair of the council committee on tourism, announced Tuesday that the city and the whole of Davao Region won first place for best regional booth.
Reta also said participating in the travel mart opened more tourism opportunities for Davao.
Though the council members are back in the city, Vice Mayor Sara Duterte stayed in Manila for a workshop on local governance at the University of the Philippines in Diliman.
