Rama leads last inaugural session

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama challenged the City Council to “maintain its status of being the best council in the entire country.”

Rama, who delivered a speech on behalf of Mayor-on-leave Tomas Osmeña in yesterday’s last inaugural session, said that “it is time to show the best as the final year of the 11th Sangguniang Panglungsod begins.”

He also said that with the kind of council the city has, no local government unit would fail in terms of directions in public service.

“Also by virtue of the BOPK principles, legislators are given executive functions by our very good mayor who is not insecure to institute this system so unique that I cannot find anywhere in the Philippines…principally the reason why, this Council has been recognized as the number one among highly urbanized cities,” Rama said.

He added that since the council convened in July 2007, at least 16 ordinances were enacted in a span of one year and which now reach around 30 ordinances.

Among the most important measures undertaken by the City Council was the support measure on the Filinvest Land, Inc. and the city government’s P25-billion joint venture agreement which already rendered P348 million in initial payment.

Rama said that the major achievements of the past and present City Council include full renovation of the Legislative Building, the landscaping of the Plaza Sugbu, as well as the E-Legis project.

Rama, who hopes that his speech would not be misconstrued as in lieu of the State of the City Address supposed to be delivered by Osmeña, thanked the members of the council who are on their third or final term in office like Councilors Gerardo Carillo and Arsenio Pacaña of the south and north districts, respectively; Councilors Christopher Alix, Sylvan Jakosalem and Nestor Archival for their contributions.

Further, he expressed gratitude to all of those who supported him while Osmeña sought cancer treatment in the United States.

“While I was the acting mayor from November of last year until May of this year, your cooperation was superb. We as a city were able to sail the seas of public service even in the absence of the captain of the ship,” Rama said.

Around 30 barangay captains attended yesterday’s inaugural session along with department heads, women’s group and City Hall consultants.

The day began with the offering of the Holy Mass which was followed shortly by a pass and review. An exhibit on the achievements of the City Council was put up at the Legislative Building. — Ferliza C. Contratista/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)