THE new set of members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Kabankalan held its inaugural session last week with Vice Mayor Miguel Zayco as presiding officer.
Kabankalan City Mayor Benjiie Miranda, who attended the session, delivered his inaugural address and outlined his proposals that he said would need legislative support.
Among which is the additional budget for the provisions of medicines for Kabankalan City Hospital, and more funds for the maintenance and other operating expenses like fuel.
Miranda urged members of the council to support his infrastructure projects and intensified agriculture programs by allocating additional budget to be utilized by the City Agriculture Office.
He also asked for their support for the establishment of Kabankalan City College in Barangay Tabugon. The mayor is also pushing for the review of the existing Tax Code
For his part, Zayco said that he is honored to have been chosen by his fellow Kabankalalanons to be the city’s vice mayor.
He said that he is also apprehensive knowing that with great power also comes greater responsibility, sacrifices, a larger crowd of critics and a higher standard to achieve what he has set out to do.
“Nevertheless, my apprehension pales in comparison to my desire to see a brighter future for the city,” he said.
As the leader of the SP, he expressed his hope for a council that could represent the people’s voice, one that is independent-minded and dynamic.
The vice mayor added that in the coming months, the SP sessions would be broadcasted over social media in order to engage the constituents and encourage them to participate and support the city government’s programs
Zayco also disclosed the legislative agenda he wishes for the SP to pursue like the approval of the new Internal Rules of Procedure (IRP) which will include newly created committees envisioned to address the needs of new sectors.
These include the Committee on Information, Communications and Technology, Committee on Housing, Urban Development and Land Use, Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Committee on Labor, Employment and Civil Service.
Zayco assured that they will work together with the executive branch to conduct a thorough review of the budget.
Water resource identification and development is a top legislative priority along with sustainable and targeted support for farmers, medical and health assistance to indigent constituents, education assistance and scholarships, Zayco noted.
The scholarships will be for in-demand courses to meet the skilled workforce requirement of the business sector, expanding the senior citizen support, strategic fund allocation for calamity and disaster preparedness, response, relief and rehabilitation, and enhancement of the sports programs of the city, he said.
Present during the inaugural session were Councilors Roger Regalia, Jeanna Genizera, Joestar Bandojo, Adolfo Mangao Jr., Macario Zafra III, Jerzy Guanzon, Rey Cordero, Jose Dumaguete, Marie Vic Ramos, Joan Cagape, Liga ng mga Barangay President Gerard Tronco, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Jeorgelyn Largado and Indigenous People Mandatory Representative Jennelyn Largado.
Plaques of appreciation and gratitude were also awarded to former mayor Pedro Zayco Jr., former vice mayor Raul Rivera and former City Councilors Helen Zafra, Delia Anacan, Celestino Dumaguete, Ramon Cordova and Efren Gaspillo Sr. in recognition of their invaluable services.