THE Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) in Bacolod City honored the three outgoing councilors whose terms will end on June 30.
The SP conferred a special citation to Councilors Caesar Distrito, Em Ang, and Sonya Verdeflor during their final regular session on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said it’s in honor and with deep appreciation and recognition of their outstanding leadership, tireless dedication and unselfish service to the people of Bacolod as chair of various committees in the SP for three consecutive terms.
The SP also approved a resolution expressing their profound congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to the three outgoing councilors who have served their three terms in the SP and for their invaluable contribution, untiring efforts and outstanding services to the city of Bacolod and wishing them all the best in their future endeavors in the years ahead.
The resolution, authored by Councilor Renecito Novero, stated that three councilors have rendered unparalleled service to the City of Bacolod for the past nine years through their hard work and untiring efforts in the City Council.
Novero said they have contributed immensely to the development of Bacolod through their legislative works, as well as their other programs which have aided the people of the city in the past 9 years.
He said their passion for public service and love for the City of Bacolod were evident through the many Ordinances and Resolutions they have passed during their 3 terms and where many people in the City have greatly benefited from.
“It is only just and proper to send off these three outstanding members of the City Council with well wishes and profound gratitude,” he added.
Ang, who delivered a privileged speech during the session, also expressed her sincerest gratitude to the people that she has come across during her three terms as a city councilor for Bacolod.
“I would like to thank my colleagues in public service – Mayor Bing Leonardia, Congressman Greg Gasataya, our presiding officer Vice Mayor El Cid, and my fellow city councilors. You are my mentors and my friends who I have had the pleasure and honor of working with. We have been together through challenging moments, as well as many times of triumph. I would like to thank all of the employees in the government center and the various government offices in the city, especially the office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod led by our SP Secretary Atty. Sonny Petierre. You are the partners of the city officials, the essential cogs in the machinery that keeps Bacolod running,” Ang said.
She said, “I would like to thank my technical assistants and all my staff, both past and present, without whom, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what I had, if not for their patience and dedication to work. I thank the Grupo Progreso family for all the support, encouragement and the love that you have shown me all these years. My stint in public service has been fruitful, meaningful and rewarding because of all of you. And most of all, I would like to thank the people of Bacolod who have entrusted me with the duty and the honor to serve our beloved city.”
Ang noted that it was in 2009 that she made the terrifying decision to fill out a certificate of candidacy and throw her hat in the ring for the 2010 elections.
“It seemed like the perfect time in my life. My youngest child was leaving for college and I was looking for ways to expand my contribution and participation in making our community a better place. I thank Mayor Bing for inviting me in 2010. It has opened the doors of public service for me, and for that I am deeply grateful,” Ang said.
She said that throughout her nine years, she focused mainly on health, women and children, social services, environment and tourism development and promotion.
“One of my first ordinances was a highly controversial one and it quickly became my startling introduction to how difficult the job of a councilor was. The plastic bag regulation ordinance was my education on how, being a councilor, I would be constantly placed in positions where I have to choose between what is popular and what is right. In this last term, a major shift in Bacolod City, I believe, is making Masskara Festival internationally known.
“I am privileged to have initiated, coordinated and facilitated our MassKara Festival dancers’ participation in a number of international performances and competitions where they have come home with top honors. As I move on to the next phase of my life, I am at peace knowing that I have given the people of Bacolod all my efforts, talent and time. These past years have been a gift to me as it has helped me expand my reach a hundredfold. Now, I return to my private life and for sure, will continue to serving the city in my personal capacity,” she added.
From July 2010 to June 2019, Ang authored a total of 75 city ordinances and passed a total of 619 resolutions; Distrito, 96 ordinances and 3, 108 resolutions; and Verdeflor, 19 ordinances and 458 resolutions.