VICE MAYOR J. Melchor Quitain Jr. graded on Tuesday the performance of the members of the 20th City Council to be “satisfactory” as far as attendance in sessions is concerned.
Councilors Al Ryan Alejandre and Pilar Braga recorded perfect attendance in 33 sessions (32 regular and 1 special) by the city council for January to August 2024.
Despite reported absences of some councilors, he said all sessions constituted a quorum.
“I’m not really particular with the absences as long as we have a quorum, but overall performance, very satisfactory, considering there was not an instance that we were not able to get a quorum and miss a session,” he said.
He added every councilor has been up to date with their landmark ordinances. Out of 159 passed ordinances in January to June, 17 were landmark legislations.
These include the creation of the Persons with Disabilities Office of Davao City; the Anti-Bullying Ordinance; Pre-Emptive and Forced Evacuation System in Case of Disasters Ordinance; the Amended Speed Limit Ordinance; creation of the Davao City Housing Office; Less Paper Session Ordinance; creation of Davao City Youth Development Division-Local Youth Development Office; and Institutionalizing the Davao City Earthquake Response Task Force.
Additionally, the Amended CCTV Ordinance; creation of the Davao City Office for Culture and the Arts; Anti-Spaghetti Wire Ordinance; Solo Parent Ordinance; Shelter for the IP watchers and runners of patients; Amended New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance; Ordinance declaring Mount Apo Natural Park as a Geopark; Dabawenyo Disciplinado Curriculum; Water break time were also included.
He added most ordinances have been operational with or without Implementing Rules and Regulations as some are self-executing.
For the sponsored resolutions, on the other hand, Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr. had the most number of sponsored resolutions with 186.
Meanwhile, the vice mayor said they are continuously monitoring the performance of every councilor amid the upcoming filing of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections.
He added he would not allow the filing of candidacy to affect the quality of work of the city council.
“I suppose most, if not all of them will file [candidacy], I don’t think it will affect as I will not allow the session not to proceed as usual,” Quitain said.
While the “election fever” is fast approaching, the vice mayor said councilors will be reminded of the pending items in their committee before their terms end next year.
The Commission on Elections declared the filling period for Certificate of Candidacy for next year’s polls is set for Oct. 1-8.
Photo by Bing Gonzales
