Councilors Week in QC: A celebration of unity

What do Senator Francis Pangilinan, Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Michael Defensor, Rep. Vincente Crisologo and Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) General Manager Joseph Peter Sison have in common?

Many may not be aware of the fact that all of them once served as councilors of Quezon City.

Today, there are countless leaders and statesmen all over the country, who like them, rose from the ranks of city and municipal councilors. What they have accomplished so far were living testimonies of their exemplary qualities as public servants — outstanding leadership anchored on the highest norms of professionalism, efficiency and integrity.

At this time when the country is cast under a spell of divisiveness and too much politicking, it is enlightening to note that there is a still handful of government officials who remain united by their common objective and committed in promoting the development and progress of their communities, particularly in the local government level.

During the recent celebration of Philippine Councilors Week, it was but fitting and proper that the citizenry recognized the vital role that local legislators play in meeting the challenges of local governance and nation-building.

The first week of September was declared as Philippine Councilors’ Week under Presidential Proclamation 212 issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos.

It is during the time of the year that city and municipal councilors nationwide, join hands in the spirit of unity and camaraderie, to fulfill the vision of effectively delivering basic services among people, especially in the grassroots level.

For the past 12 years since the maiden observance of the Philippine Councilors’ Week, the Quezon City government is one of the very few local government units actively spearheading the celebration.

This year, the 26-member city council, composed of young and energetic local legislators, lined up various projects and activities aimed at bringing the government closer to the marginalized sectors, particularly youth offenders, drug dependents, city jail inmates and women once engaged in the sex trade.

These include visitations in institutions in Quezon City where these marginalized sectors are housed and confined. The city legislators distributed sacks of rice and several cartons of assorted canned goods to the inmates.

Next stop was the QC Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (Tahanan) in Barangay Payatas, where drug dependents, most of whom were in their late teens, were given clothes.

Guided by the theme "Liga Ng Mga Konsehal Para Sa Pambansang Pagkakaisa," the city councilors came out with a more holistic approach to this year’s weeklong festivities as they underscored the need to promote national unity, spiritual renewal and moral recovery.

Other activities lined up include a mega jobs fair, governance forum, sportsfest, a tree-planting activity, a barangay clean-up operation and a pap smear program.