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Monday, November 05, 2007
Faelnar plans to quit Cebu City council
CEBU CITY -- Guadalupe Barangay Captain Eugenio Faelnar is resigning as Cebu City Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president to concentrate on his job in the barangay, in effect giving up a seat at the City Council.
"Some will be happy, some will be sad with this decision. But I no longer want to head the ABC. That is my decision. It has never been my habit to change my decisions," he told Sun.Star Cebu Sunday night.
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Faelnar revealed the news after he met with Guadalupe's elected barangay councilors and a few friends for at least four hours to discuss his intention.
He said only three out of 10 advised him to cling to his post, adding that being the ABC president means he wields a lot of power.
That comment, he said, bolstered his resolve to leave the ABC, which he presided over for the past six years, because he never really wanted the office but only gave in to a request from Mayor Tomas Osmeña.
He has yet to speak with Osmeña on his decision.
"I know the mayor will understand," he said. "I want to concentrate on Guadalupe during my last term."
Meanwhile, the ABC is preparing a three-day seminar on parliamentary procedures and government processes, such as the new procurement law, to help new barangay captains.
About half of those elected last Oct. 29 in Cebu City have not headed their barangays before.
The seminar is to intended to minimize as much friction as possible between the barangay council and the captain, and for them to avoid making constant trips to the ombudsman's office because of administrative offenses committed out of ignorance, said Faelnar.
This month
The reelected Guadalupe barangay captain said they will hold the seminar before the new set of barangay officials take their oath and start their new term on Nov. 30.
While many incumbent officials got reelected, new faces have surfaced in several barangays.
Among the incumbent barangay officials who lost to their political opponents are four ABC board members.
And while most of those who won as village chiefs are incumbent barangay councilors, they still need to be reminded of the proper way to preside over sessions.
The seminar will be done in coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government, which will also help in providing guest speakers.
Faelnar the funds will be taken from the P400,000 donated to the ABC by outgoing AnWaray party-list Rep. Noel Dumdum.
The money, he said, is being held by the City Government for safekeeping but can be appropriated to the ABC for the seminar.
'Bothered'
As to his plan to give up the ABC presidency, Faelnar said the result of the recent elections made him look back on what he has done or failed to do in the last six years.
Although he won, he found his margin of 771 votes-compared to thousands in the past two elections-worrisome.
"Bothered kaayo ko. People minded that I spent much of my time at the ABC. I think it is time to mend fences here in Guadalupe," Faelnar said.
He urged the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK) to choose his successor from among the 46 north district barangay captains.
Asked for a specific person, he said that Talamban Barangay Captain Alvin Arcilla would be a good choice, as the leaders of other big north district barangays who are their allies are still new on the job.
"Daghan ang dili gusto aning akong desisyon. Pero ako ning buhaton para sa mga tawo sa Guadalupe (A lot of people won't agree with my decision, but I will do it for Guadalupe)," Faelnar said. (RHM/Sun.Star Cebu)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (November 5, 2007 issue)
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