Negros Oriental's PB reconvened

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines -  – The Negros Occidental Provincial Board has on Tuesday, May 31, finally reconvened without any of the expected blame-throwing for the absences of most PB Members that caused the failure to hold sessions twice before the 2-week recess last May 16 to 27.

Minutes before the PB reconvened, observers were somehow expecting brickbats from among the PB members, especially after radio commentaries earlier criticized the body for failing to have sessions as mandated, but there was none. Before tackling some pending measures, there were even some light moments in the session hall indicating the absence of friction among the PB members.

Not holding two sessions may have resulted in the delay in the deliberation of several legislative measures, but the PB has made it up by approving some of these in the latest session.

One of those approved was a request of the Governor’s Office for the P7.5 million supplemental budget to fund a scholarship program, purchase of medicines for indigents and subsidize aids to indigents in crises situations for all eight province-operated district hospitals.

The PB also approved a request of the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital to use its over P21.7 million income for the hospital’s maintenance and other operating expenses, and purchase of medical supplies and equipment.

The PB further approved an ordinance, authored by ex-officio PB Member Arnulfo Teves, Jr. (Liga ng mga Barangay), which aims to regulate the holding of cockfighting during fiestas in the different barangays in the province.

All 95 items in the day’s agenda were tackled in less than two hours. A significant number of these were legislative measures from the province’s municipalities and component cities for review.

The two sessions of May were cancelled due to an absence of quorum with majority of the PB members absent for various reasons, except for Jessica Jane Villanueva-Koppin, who is out of the country on official leave. – (FREEMAN)