Po, Ralota bid adieu to Cebu City Council colleagues

CEBU, Philippines - Two ex-officio members of the 13th Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Cebu City bid goodbyes to the members of the city council yesterday.

 Outgoing Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) President John Philip Po II and Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) President Michael Ralota each delivered a farewell speech during their last session as members of the 13th SP.

They expressed their deep gratitude to their city council colleagues as they officially end their three-year term of office on Saturday.

 Approved en masse, City Councilor Alvin Dizon, vice chairman of the committee on youth and sports development, would now head the committee to oversee the welfare of and to retain youth representation in the city council.

 Po said that as SKF president, his job as youth leader was crucial and taxing because of his big role in “nation building and youth development.”

 He said, though, that the job spurred him to strive and work harder for the betterment of the youth.

“We were able to continue programs like summer camps, children’s month celebration and grass roots program (HIV/AIDS and Anti-discrimination programs),” he said. 

 Po thanked Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and the city council for not blocking the youth programs and approving funds for their implementation.

 â€œThe city council has always supported our programs and never hindered our progress….  Mayor Rama has always supported our activities and even gave us budget to do so.  We thanked him for his unwavering dedication to help the youth and prepare them for their future,” Po said.

 On the other hand, Rolota, a newly-elected barangay councilor of T. Padilla, narrated some of the ABC’s achievements under his stewardship that include improved systematic accounting and bookkeeping procedures and accounted available funds.

 He said the ABC did not incur debts and instead has a remaining balance in funds.

 Ralota said his term saw an ABC that was constantly proactive in implementing programs and policies to provide basic services. The ABC also assisted in the hospitalization financial assistance and burial benefits of barangay officials.

 He appealed for the next ABC president to continue the programs that were established and implemented.

 â€œI hope that the next ABC president will be able to continue to implement the strict observance of barangay project guidelines, including the soil testing and concrete mix random testing sites,” Ralota said.

 Ralota, an architect explained that to “prevent sub-standard construction and to ensure public safety by making sure that structural quality and integrity of the various infrastructure projects being implemented in the barangays.”

 The council is set to give a plaque of recognition to Ralota and to Po for their “valuable service.”

 City Councilor Gerardo Carillo, meanwhile, called Rama and cited Po and Ralota for “their distinguished service to the city council in providing programs and services.”— (FREEMAN)