DAVAO CITY – The city council here on Tuesday, May 3, cancelled its regular session after it failed to meet the minimum number of members needed to hold a plenary.
As a result, one of Tuesday’s major items, the declaration of state of calamity due to El Niño in Davao City, was not discussed, said Councilor Bernard Al-ag, the majority floor leader.
“We want to determine if the city must declare a state of calamity in our area,” said Al-ag.
At 11:00 AM Tuesday, Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang adjourned the regular session of the city council as there were only 14 councilors present at the session hall.
During the roll call, absent were Councilors Nilo M. Abellera Jr., Al Ryan S. Alejandre, Louie John J. Bonguyan, and Joselle D. Villafuerte.
Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Councilor Karlo S. Bello were on official business.
Meanwhile, Councilors Victorio U. Advincula Jr., Lorie R. Avila III, Joanne M. Bonguyan-Quilos, Jimmy G. Dureza, and John-Christopher Tanjili Mahamud were on domestic emergency, while January Duterte and Tomas J. Monteverde IV filed sick leave.
“That is why I am dismayed because we have a lot to tackle about; even the developers from Manila are here,” he said.
He said that there is still no confirmation whether there would be a special session especially that there is an important discussion on the El Niño situation in the city.
“It will depend on the recommendation of the disaster management office. If it is needed to do a special session then we will do it,” Al –ag said.
Some of the absent councilors are vying for re-election in the coming polls on May 9.
Abellera Jr. and Mahamud are running again for the 1st district.
Alejandre and Dureza are running for the 2nd district. Meanwhile, Villafuerte and Advincula are running in the 3rd district.
He reminded that councilors should be responsible public officials so that every Tuesday, councilors should be in the session hall.
The regular session will resume on May 17 since on May 10 the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will use the hall for the canvassing of votes. (davaotoday.com)
