Sitoy pays courtesy call on guv

CEBU, Philippines - For the first time since his election as member of the Provincial Board in May 2010, lone opposition member Arleigh Jay Sitoy yesterday stepped into the office of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to pay her a courtesy call.

Sitoy brought with him two packs of boneless dried “danggit” with three small bottles of vinegar, all made in his hometown Cordova, and a vase of artificial flowers made by Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).

Sitoy said that it is part of democratic process but they don’t stop talking, in a professional manner, although they belong to opposing political parties.

Sitoy said he will inform his only ally in the Board, Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr., about his visit to Garcia saying there was “nothing wrong and malicious” about it.

Sitoy also took advantage of his meeting with Garcia to ask her to release the financial assistance approved in 2010 to barangays in the sixth district.

Sitoy was earlier a subject of criticisms from Garcia because of several controversial measures in the Board. Among them was his proposed ordinance that requires chicharon makers to display the product’s nutritional component on the packaging and a health warning.

Although he failed to pass the proposed ordinance but Sitoy vowed to revive it.

Sitoy said he has position paper to be presented to PB and a study about the dangers of chicharon, or pork cracklings.

He insists that appropriate health warnings on the packaging should be indicated. He said there should be an advice against the health hazards associated with excessive consumption of food high in fat and cholesterol. — (FREEMAN)