OUTGOING VICE MAYOR FRANZ RANCHES TURNS-OVER THE VIGAN CITY COUNCIL TO INCOMING VICE MAYOR RYAN SINGSON

THE VIGAN CITY COUNCIL REPORT

By: Vice Mayor Francisco P. Ranches, Jr.

(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 2^nd and 3^rd City Councils approved a 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 1^st 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 1^st runner-up in the region.

January to June 30, 2010 is the last leg of the term of the 3^rd 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 3^rd 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 I welcome 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!