City council seeks top legislative award

Cebu City Council has vied for the nationwide Search for the Outstanding Legislative Body, and to be the first recipient of such award from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Majority Floor Leader Jocelyn Pesquera, in the session yesterday, presented to the council a pile of documents on the performance of the council that would be submitted to the DILG.

Pesquera said she and her staff compiled the needed documents covering the council's recent three-month performance, as required.

Among the documents are committee reports, and efficiency performance of the council such as ordinances for appropriation, zoning, sanitation, and local tax. There are also plans for disaster management, annual investment, comprehensive land use, solid waste management, and gender and development program, among others.

"The city council has been very diligent...in serving its constituents. In fact, it had conducted a number of executive sessions, special sessions and budget hearings...(for) the needs of its internal and external customers," Pesquera said in her report submitted to the council.

DILG city director Patricio Gabuya, in a separate interview, told reporters the city government has a good chance of winning the first search award citing that all the criteria were complied with documents and compilations.

Only Cebu City has so far completed and submitted the required documents, he said, adding that Mandaue City has withdrawn its bid after allegely failing to comply with the requirements. - Garry B. Lao