CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia was elected as the national executive vice-president in the Vice Mayors’ League of the Philippines (VMLP).
“I look forward to working even harder for the advancement of all my fellow presiding officers from the local legislative departments of the country, on top of my duties as president of the entire VMLP Cebu Chapter,” Garcia said in a social media post.
Garcia said he is now thinking of programs for his fellow vice mayors to support them in the dispensation of their official functions.
“Daghan tang mga programa gihuna-huna. One of them is maghimo siguro tag Vice Mayor’s Academy for them to continue their schooling to further (enhance) their knowledge, skills and know-how especially when it comes to legislative interventions such as pag-equip nila ug maayong ordinansa, unsaon pag-contruct, proper use of English language, ang content,” Garcia said.
The election took place during the 27th VMLP National Convention in Pasay City last Tuesday.
Garcia also said that he looks forward to working with Vice Mayor Dean Anthony Domalanta of San Mariano, Isabela, who is now the league’s national president.
Malabon Vice Mayor Ninong Dela Cruz, on the other hand, was elected as National Chairman and Lugus, Sulu Vice Mayor Almedzar Hajiri as the National Secretary-General.
Last year, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama was also elected as the National President of the League of Cities of the Philippines.
With Garcia’s victory in the VMLP, Cebu City’s top local elected officials are now also serving on a national scale and are expected to bring in more progress and development in Cebu City with the cooperation, collaboration and sharing of best practices in local governance among other LGUs in the country.
“Very big advantage for the City of Cebu nga ako ang napili as Executive Vice-President. Aside from the fact na dako kaayo nig garbo sa city, it is also an opportunity for me as a vice mayor to learn more, maka-benchmark ko sa laing lugar, kung naa silay mga maayo kaayo nga mga ordinances na napasar sa ilang lugar. It will be an exchange of ideas, and ordinances para kami tanan as a body, we can work together and make good ordinances for our respective constituents,” he added. — GAN (FREEMAN)