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After years of democratic struggle, maybe we can say that the Philippines reached a certain degree of Political Maturity. Last monday's SONA delivered by President Noynoy Aquino captivated the Filipino people from all walks of life. Almost everybody was glued to their televisions, radios, internet connections, and even cellphones, just to watch, listen and monitor what the new President has to say. Unlike in the past SONAs which were not given much attention, the SONA of P-NOY (President Noy), was well attended and given importance. Surveys show that 8 out of 10 Filipinos believe in the President's SONA. With this level of trust rating, confidence in the new adminstration is very high.
The SONA is an opportunity for the President to outline his vision and program of government. It is a statement or description of the real situation of our nation and where it is headed to. President Aquino's SONA can be observed as realistic, straightforward and doable. This is how it affects us:
a)If the President is against red tape and wants transparacency in government transactions, those in government are expected to behave and help eliminate corruption.
b)If the President wants to put to a stop unnecessary expenses, then we have to expect a frugal government.
c)If the President wants a Public-Private partnership in pursuance of infrastructure and other development projects, we have to expect competition among the private contractors and developers, which is healthy in the bureaucracy.
d) If the President wants to give importance to job-generation, we have to attract more investors.
Whether we like it or not, every Filipno is affected by the SONA because through it, we can chart the destiny of our country.
Many are wondering what the vector control ordinance is all about. As the principal proponent, I felt a sense of duty on my part to explain what is this all about.
Vector is defined as an organism which, either directly or indirectly, via micro organisms which it carries, can transmit disease to man. The term "vector" shall ordinarily but not exclusively refer to rodent, insect or vermin species such as rats, mice, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and the like. The purpose of the ordinance is to protect public health, safety and the general welfare by:
A. Preventing or controlling the spread of vector borne disease.
B. Averting the blighting effects which the presence of vector infestation places on an affected neighborhood, including undermining the desirabilty of housing, causing the decline in property value and contributing to the image of an environmentally unfit area.
C. Expanding the services of the City Health Office by making more regulations concerning vector control.
The proposed vector control ordinance seeks to control and eliminate vectors by removing harborage areas through spraying, poisoning, fumigating, trapping, or any legal vector elimination method which is not injurious to human health or the safety of domestic animals. It will be the responsibility of the City Health office to conduct inspection of residential as well as commercial establishments. The bottom line is for everybody to exert efforts in mantaining cleanliness in one's premises or sorroundings in order to achieve a vector-proof establishment.
Afine of Two Thousand Pesos or imprisonment of not more than thirty days or both at the discretion of the court is the penalty for persons who violate or permit the violation of this ordinance. This has been presented on first reading and awaits the action of the Committee on Health in which the measure was referred to.
An octopus named Paul opens a box decorated with a Spanish flag and a shell inside on July 9, 2010 at the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, western Germany. Paul's task is to decide in favour of one of the shells hidden in boxes with the flags of the Netherlands and Spain to act thus as oracle for the upcoming final match of the FIFA Football World Cup between the two countries on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Paul, the "psychic" octopus, who had predicted well the result of six German matches earlier in the tournament, predicted Spain will win the football World Cup for the first time in their history. AFP PHOTO / PATRIK STOLLARZ (Photo credit should read PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)(Photo Credit should Read /AFP/Getty Images)
After almost four years of blogging, I have decided to change the design of my blog. Since my term as Vice Mayor has expired and as I prepare for the next chapter of my political career, a fresh start is in order. The new look of LIBERAL VIEW'S represents the new perspective that I have to trek. We have a new Liberal President who is a source of hope and inspiration for the Filipinos. As such, I want to give my contribution in making the Philippines a better place to live in. LIBERAL VIEW'S NEW LOOK is a response to the new challenges of liberalism.
(Delivered during the the City Council Turn-Over Ceremonies held on June 28, 2010 at the Sangguniang Panlungsod Session Hall)
For the Year 2007, the legislative body of the City Government of Vigan, the 2nd and 3rd City Councils approveda total of 72 legislations, 54 Resolutions, 11 ordinances and 7 appropriation ordinances. It was this year when the city council approved the relocation of the Vigan City Jail in its new site at Ayusan Norte by virtue of Resolutions No. 30 and 36 series of 2007. The rehabilitation of the Mindoro sea wall has seen light through Resolution No. 32 series of 2007. The Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) was established in cooperation with the Danish Polio Society as per Resolution No 34-2007.
The Council likewise enacted Appropriation Ordinance No. 7, Series 2008, appropriating P198,446,225.00 as the Annual Budget of Vigan City for Fiscal Year 2008. Out of the said amount P54, 189,716.84 was allotted for various projects for the economic, environmental and social sectors development.
It was on this year when the city council appropriated funds for the salary increase of city government employees. It was also in this year that the Vigan City Council was declared as Outstanding in Ilocos Sur and 1st runner-up in Region 1.
For the year 2008, the Vigan City Council approved a total of 85 legislations in 48 Regular and Special Sessions. 58 Resolutions, 20 Ordinances and 7 Appropriation Ordinances.
The Gender and Development Code was enacted, the Katulagan or Vigan Service Guide Book was adopted, the formulation of the Comprehensive Land Use Paln was endorsed, a reolution was approved authorizing Mayor Eva Medina to enter into a Deed of Usufruct with TESDA for purposes of contructing the TESDA Provincial office in Vigan, other significant resolutions among others were the creation of the Metro Vigan Coordinating Council , the establishment of Buridek Children’s Museum at the Filipino-Spanish friendship Park, and the adoption of the Vigan Environmental Plan. Also the council approved the Annual Budget for 2009 amounting to Php 200,159,341.29 pesos.
From January to December of the year 2009, the Third Council approved a total of 38 resolutions, 6 ordinances and 6 appropriation ordinances or 50 legislative measures in 48 regular and special sessions.
Most notable of which are the enactment of the Vigan Environment Code, the establishment of the Vigan Skills Training Institute, the approval of the Annual Development Plan amounting to Php 62,500,000.00 pesos, approval of the Annual Budget for 2010 amounting to Php 232,402,269 pesos. Said appropriations have been allocated for the establishment of the Vigan Skills Training Institute, Implementation of the Vigan River Cruise, construction and improvement of farm to market roads and government facilities, cooperative development and for livelihood programs and projects, performance bonuses of employees, additional fund for capital outlay of various offices and the establishment of streetlights and modernization of the Vigan Gymnasium.
And for the second time, it was in 2009 that Vigan made it again as the Most
Outstanding Sanggaunian in Ilocos Sur and 1st runner-up in the region.
January to June 30, 2010 is the last leg of the term of the 3rd Vigan City Council. The august body has approved a total of 23 legislations.21 Resolutions and two (2) ordinances have been enacted in 25 regular and special sessions.
Although 2010 is an election year, we were not remiss of our duties as legislators. The City Council continued to function as a legislative body by continuously holding regular sessions until the last minute of the 3rd City Council’s term. As your humble Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer for the last 9 years, and in line with the codification project, we were able to accomplished the following:
1.Conservaton Code
2.Revenue Code
3.Transportation Code
4.Investment Incentives Code
5.Youth Code
6.Gender and Development Code
7.Environment Code
8.Market Code
In trying our best to introduce innovations in local legislation, the City Council came up with a system of electronic session, it maintained a website where ordinances and resolutions are downloadable wherever you are in the world. As a commitment to inform the people on what’s happening in the legislative branch, we initiated a Public Information Program such as Konseho ti Vigan Radio program, Legislative digest, Price Watch and the Vice Mayor’s Blogsite.
Ladies and Gentlemen, staying too long in one position makes you run out of ideas, I have to let go and turn-over the leadership of this council so that a fresh mandate can continue making the legislative body of Vigan face the new challenges of governance. The love for Vigan inspired me to run for public office and get elected as a legislator. Now I can say that it is also for the love for Vigan and Country that I’m stepping down as your Vice Mayor as I embark on a new chapter of my political career. Vigan will always be unique to me, it is not only a place where there is so much to see and so much to eat, but it is a community where there is so much to do for the betterment of the Biguenos.
I’d like to thank all of you, Mayor Eva Medina, my colleagues in the city council, the department heads, the members of the media who helped us maintain the flames of democracy alive, the legislative staff, some of you are unsung heroes and heroines in making the legislative body work, without your assistance, life would be more difficult for me. As Iwelcome Vice Mayor Ryan Luis Singson, join me in making a commitment to uphold a Strong, Dynamic, Independent, and Responsible Vigan City Council. Thank you and good day!
