Talisay mayor to allow allies to have executive functions

CEBU, Philippines - Following their failure to get the committees they had yearned for, three members of the minority bloc in the Talisay City council will soon enjoy executive functions, thanks to Mayor Johnny delos Reyes.

Administration Councilor Valeriano Ylanan was assigned the committee on parks and playground while Danilo Caballero will head the committee on slaughter and market.

Aldin Diaz was assigned the committee on communication and information technology.

But Ylanan wanted the committee on infrastructure while Caballero wanted the committee on peace and order.

Diaz also expressed his desire to head the committee on budget and finance.

But De los Reyes said he is open to the idea of giving them authority to supervise executive work.

“Mahimo gihapong ato silang hatagan aron mabalanse ang ilang trabaho kung mao na ilang gusto,” the mayor said.

The opposition continues to maintain that the chairmanships can be reshuffled.

Caballero said that while the council approved the internal rules, which covers the chairmanships, the finalization of the committee chairmanships is still to be discussed in the next session.

Reelected City Councilor Richard Francis Aznar, who was chosen as majority floor leader, will chair the following committees: health, hospital services and sanitation, and laws, good governance, and city properties.

Councilor Socrates Fernandez will head the committee on public works and infrastructure, and social services and senior citizen.

Councilor Dennis Basillote and Edward Alesna, who are on their third and last terms, will be holding their former committees.

Basillote will head the committees on housing, urban poor rural development, and education while Alesna will chair the committee on budget and appropriation, and public order.

Eduardo Gullas III will be heading the committee on family, women and children, and games and amusement and sports development.

Doroteo Emit will chair the committee on tourism, heritage and international affairs, and labor, trade and industry while Antonio Bacaltos will chair the committee on agriculture and environment.

Both Emit and Bacaltos are neophytes belonging to the opposition.

ABC president Charles Basillote will be the chairman of the committee on barangay affairs and cooperative and people’s organization while SKF president Carmel Jude Burlas will head the committee on youth development.

Aznar clarified that the priority and most preferred committees will go to members who belong to the majority group. (FREEMAN)