TO preserve and promote Cebuano history and culture, Acting Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella wants the executive department to reconvene the Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission (Chac).
In a letter to Mayor Tomas Osmeña dated Dec. 28, Labella called the appointment of the members of the commission as urgent because some legislative measures enacted by the City Council require the study and appropriate action of the Chac.
“The role of the commission is quintessential in ensuring that the pursuits of the City Government and the private sector in preserving and promoting Cebuano culture and history are kept synchronized and abreast to contemporary developments,” reads a portion of the letter.
The Chac was one of 57 special bodies ordered abolished by Osmeña last July.
But because the Chac was created through an ordinance and cannot be abolished, the mayor instead ordered the relief of all its members effective last July 31.
In a previous report, Osmeña ordered the special bodies that were created through laws to “justify their existence.” He asked them to submit their accomplishment report for the past 12 months.
Labella, in his letter, said that the Chac, which was created through City Ordinance 1098, provides that the city mayor shall appoint the members of the commission.
However, the commission has yet to convene since Osmeña assumed office last July.
Lawyer Daisy Mae Garong, for her part, said the Chac cannot convene yet because the council has yet to come up with a recommendation of the members.
Garong was tasked by Osmeña to oversee matters regarding the special bodies in City Hall.
In an interview yesterday, she explained that until a recommendation is submitted, the commission cannot convene.
“While it is the mayor who appoints the members, it is the council who submits a list of those they are recommending to be part of the commission. It is only until then can the Chac, or any commission created through an ordinance, for that matter, can convene,” Garong said.