Cabigas has most number of legislations authored

CEBU, Philippines - Councilors of Talisay City Council have crafted 402 resolutions and 32 ordinances for the first half of their term since they were elected into office last 2010.

The current councilors belong to the 4th Sangguniang Panglungsod.

Based on records of the SP Secretary, Councilor Rodi Cabigas has the highest number of approved legislations. He authored 29 and 11 of which became ordinances.

One of Cabigas’s notable ordinances is the amended Revenue Code of Talisay City, which was passed on October 13 last year. He was also the proponent of the resolution that authorized Mayor Socrates Fernandez to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Public Works and Highways for the renovation of the public market, which was approved on October 18 last year.

Majority of the legislative measures he authored dealt with simple subdivision, preliminary approval and locational clearance (PALC) and development permits.

Cabigas is chairman of the Council’s committee on infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Talisay Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, the Council’s presiding officer, followed Cabigas with a total of 72 resolutions and ordinances.

Bucao authored the city’s Traffic Code in September 7, 2010 and the ordinance that prohibits retail and wholesale establishments from using disposable plastic bags and Styrofoam. The latter ordinance was approved on February 15 last year, but is yet to be implemented.

First-term Councilor Semy Cabuenas and third-term Councilor Bernard Odilao, for their part, authored 41 and 30 measures, respectively. Cabuenas’ resolutions dealt more with financial assistance while Odilao’s legislations were centered on natural resources being chairman of the Council’s committee on environment.

Councilor Dennis Basillote has 29 resolutions and ordinances approved while Councilor Choy Aznar has 27. Neophyte Councilor Eduardo Gullas III and Association Barangay Councils (ABC) President Charles Basillote were able to pass 18 and 16 measures, respectively.

Among the administration councilors, Councilor Edward Alesna listed the least number of measures passed with 12 on record.

Alesna authored the ordinance penalizing drunkenness in public places, which was passed on February 15, 2011, but the ordinance is also yet to be implemented.

Sangguniang Kabataan Federation President Carmel John Burlas has not submitted a single resolution or ordinance.

And while there are administration councilors who did not do well for the first half, three minority councilors have authored notable legislations.

Councilor Romy Villarante has 11, which include a resolution that requested the Supreme Court to hold bar examinations for examinees from the Visayas and Mindanao examinees in Cebu City.

This was approved in October 2010. Villarante also authored the Anti-Red Tape law.

His fellow minority councilors Danny Caballero and Val Ylanan passed five and four resolutions, respectively.

They said belonging to the minority party and with no committee assignment, it is reportedly difficult for them to pass resolutions in the present Council. - THE FREEMAN