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Monday, May 12, 2003
Session adjourned; dads still in Manila
By Edwin G. Espejo
VICE Mayor Florentina Congson abruptly adjourned the session after only four councilors showed up during the scheduled regular session of the General Santos City Council.
Congson later told reporters that some of the councilors are still in Manila attending the tourism meet called for by Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon.
Those present Thursday were councilors Ramon Milleza, Jose Mari Gonzales, Minardo Avila and Jose Mari Natividad.
Congson said Mayor Pedro Acharon Jr. instructed Councilor Orlando Oco to represent the city during the closing ceremony of the Visit Philippines program of the tourism department, now ongoing in Intramuros, Manila.
Still in Manila, aside from Oco, are Floor Leader Lourdes Casabuena, Minda Atendido, Zoilo Abing, Eduardo Leyson III, Jose Orlando Acharon and lone opposition councilor Franklin Gacal Jr.
Congson failed to disclose the whereabouts of the other councilors.
Gacal, who joined the group last Wednesday, said he did not want to be charged of dereliction of duty by not going to the summit to represent the city.
Natividad, meanwhile, justified the huge delegation sent by the city to the event, which was opened by President Arroyo last Sunday.
Reports said the city spent more than P1 million for the 90-plus delegation.
Most of City Hall's department heads also joined the group.
Mayor Acharon, on the other hand, claimed the amount spent by the city was worth it.
He claimed Secretary Gordon made a special pitch for General Santos during his welcome address.
"Gi-mention gyud ang Gensan ug ang tuna nato dinhi," the city mayor claimed. (General Santos was prominently mentioned including our tuna.)
Acharon said some of the delegation, headed by city tourism officer Warren Manilay, would stay in Manila for another month to promote the city.
In the same development, the city mayor also defended the budget allocated for the trip.
He revealed that the entourage included the street dancers and singers who performed in the recent Kalilangan Festival.
In contrast, however, Sarangani province only sent a 40-man delegation and spent less than P500,000 for the trip.
"Kami ang pinakagamay dinhi," Sarangani information officer Serafin Ramos Jr. claimed. (We have the smallest delegation.)
Sources said Koronadal City also reportedly coughed up more than P2 million for the affair.
Cotabato Gov. Manny Piņol, meanwhile, likewise reportedly spent a cool P2.5 million in an effort to promote his war-torn province.
(May 9, 2003 issue)
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