DAVAO CITY, Philippines — A very good performance rating was given to the members of the 19th City Council for their legislative work in the July-December period last year.
Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) secretary Charito Santos said that both incumbent and neophyte politicians in the 19th council have been active in passing local legislation and resolutions.
The 19th city council has passed 905 resolutions and 163 ordinances from July to December 2019, higher than the number of resolutions and ordinances passed under the 18th council.
“The 19th council has surpassed what the 18th council has done in their legislation,” said Santos.
Santos also said that despite being a neophyte in the council, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte had a good performance in providing leadership in the past year. She added that the young Duterte has tried his best to study and learn what is needed in governance.
“Before he assumed office, you will see that he has the willingness to learn. Before he assumed, he asked for the internal rules of the council, journal of the session and minutes,” Santos added.
As to individual performances, majority floor leader Councilor Melchor Quitain, Jr. filed the most number of ordinances (39) followed by Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang (31), Councilor Jesus Joseph Zozobrado (24) and Councilor Conrado Baluran (11).
The top eight councilors who failed to file or pass an ordinance were councilors Maria Belen Acosta, Pamela Librado-Morata, Diosdado Mahipus Jr., Jonard Dayap, Wilberto Al-ag, Edgar Ibuyan Sr., Antoinette G. Principe-Castrodes, and Jaffar Marohomsalic.
Santos said that most of the ordinances filed by Acosta were already filed and passed under the 18th council, adding that most of the eight councilors are either incumbents or re-electionists.
Meanwhile, neophyte councilor and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation president Marohomsalic topped the list for the most number of resolutions filed (178), followed by Association of Barangay Captains president Ibuyan Sr. (158), Edgar Ibuyan Jr. (129), Dayanghirang (88), and Quitain (85).
Santos also said that only Librado-Morata failed to file an ordinance or resolution in the 19th council for the July-December period.
For absences in the city council, the secretary said the top three councilors are Acosta, Librado-Morata and Ibuyan Sr.
“Acosta also has the most number of absences. However, she is on official leave and her absences are related to her committee work,” Santos said.
Councilors Braga, Quitain, and Ungab were the only three councilors with perfect attendance in the July-December 2019 sessions.
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Duterte had 13 official leaves, 12 absences in being the OIC Mayor, two special leaves, and one sick leave.
