We had a chance meeting with Liga ng mga Barangay ng Lungsod ng Dabaw and councilor Edgar Ibuyan Sr. last Tuesday at the Sangguniang Panlungsod building. We were there to have a feel of how the present Council members comport themselves in the conduct of their weekly session, especially the its neophytes.
But while we were about to enter the session hall councilor Ibuyan got out for a “bladder break” and upon seeing us he immediately invited us to go with him to his office. And what a spacious office he has!
Of course we were surprised because apparently his office is much spacious than that of the others.
Perhaps noting our being observant he quickly explained that it used to be the office of then Liga President January Duterte, incumbent Catalunan Grande barangay chairperson and wife of Davao City first district congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte. His office was full of people and we understood why they were there.
The councilor told us that being the representative of the barangay officials in the Sanggunian he is busy helping the Offices of the City Mayor and the City Health Department in prodding the barangay councils in conducting preventive measures for the further spread of dengue illness in the city.
In addition he said his office is also helping the offices of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and the City Social Services and Development reach out to victims of monsoon waves and flash floods, get relocated after their coastal houses were destroyed.
But of all the things the councilor told us he has been doing lately the one that we believe will have major impact on the people of the city especially those residing in low-lying areas is his coordinating the clean-up of esteros and waterways.
According to the Kapitan of Bangkerohan the waterways clean-up is funded by a “Food for work” money that has been allocated for the purpose.
We believe councilor Ibuyan is doing well with the responsibilities of his office. And if he would not make mistakes along the way he is well on his way to making a name for himself in the history of Davao City.
And it is possibly the reason why the mayor, and the President himself, have so much trust in him.
Congratulations Councilor!
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Now former Davao City Administrator and first district councilor Wendel Avisado is back in full harness by his “Tol,” the President.
His former working friend and fraternity brother then mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte has appointed him Acting Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary. We was sworn in last Monday.
We know Wendel as we had served with him for a period of time in the Board of Directors of the Davao City Boy Scouts Council, he as chairman and us, as one of the directors. He had been up in many challenging jobs before and breezed through them with flying colors.
Of course Wendel has to reckon with the fact that his new job is much bigger than the previous ones even with his having been at the helm of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP) as national President.
As one of the so-called economic managers of the government Wendel will be working with such men as Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, National Economic Development Authority Director General Ernesto Pernia, and of course the other Cabinet secretaries.
Even his own Department can turn into a snake pit for him if he is not careful in dealing with his own people. But we know Wendel as a “survivor” even in some of his most challenging work-related problems.
We are therefore confident he will make it through in the remaining years of the Duterte administration.
Congratulations Bai Wendel!
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We heard some sad news about another friend of ours at City Hall. He is in a precarious condition in a hospital in Davao City. We pray to God that he will make it through. He is an asset in Mayor Inday Sarfa’s administration.
Many are depressed with the present condition of this friend of ours.
