The 7th Sangguniang Barangay of Bool of the City of Tagbilaran, led by Punong Barangay Nestor Mendez ushered the concerns and issues of their barangay to the august body of the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso during their joint session held at the Barangay Hall of Bool last February 20, 2015.
The concerns and issues presented by Punong Barangay Mendez, were addressed one by one by the legislative body of the City. The City Councilors duly assisted the barangay officials of Bool and presented step by step instructions and guidance to expedite the resolution of the problems of their barangay.
Among the concerns and issues raised during the joint session were:
1. Explanation on the actual and exact share of allotment receivable by each of the fifteen (15) barangays of the City of Tagbilaran from the 20% City Development Fund (CDF).
2. Updates on the proposed construction of a boardwalk in the Mangrove Range located along the Coast of Barangay Bool
3. Improvement of Road going to Banat-I Hill as part of the Road Development Program
4. Information updates regarding any action, such as damage or reparatory claims , rehabilitation plan or even compromise settlement in connection to the considerable damage of the already threatened resources of the Bool Marine Sanctuary caused by the ramming of a cargo vessel/barge last November 8, 2014 at the height of Typhoon Yolanda
VM Toto Veloso expressed his gratitude to the members of the Sangguniang Barangay of Bool for hosting and organizing the joint session. The 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod members passed a resolution expressing their appreciation to the 7th Sangguniang Barangay of Bool for the successful joint session held at Barangay Bool.

A special session was conducted today by the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod to make further investigation of the complaints by the riding public that the P7 minimum fare rate is not followed by the tricycle drivers. It has been recalled that last January 23, 2015, City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso signed Resolution 15-07 which will result to a minimum fare rate of P7.00. The resolution is sponsored by Hon. Jeremias C. Pabe, Chairperson – Committee on Public Utilities in response to the clamor for reduced tricycle fare in lieu of the successive weekly price rollback. However, just recently reports reach the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod that there are tricycle drivers that refuse to accept the P7-fare of its passengers prompting the 12th SP to conduct an investigation on the matter.
Tricycle associations ICMTODA, GTAODAI, TP-TODA-PORT, HTPTODA AND PM-TODA were present during the special session to answer the queries of the law-making body of the city. It was surmised that there was no proper implementation of the said resolution and that there is not enough information dissemination, leaving most tricycle drivers and even the riding public unaware of the passage of such resolution. It was also found out that tricycle organizations implement the P7 minimum fare rate and make it a point to inform their members. Only those tricycle drivers/operators who are non-members of any organization fail to follow the P7 minimum fare rate.
Hon. Butchie Zamora also pointed out that out of 3,000 tricycle drivers/operators, only 300+ are members of the organization when in fact Ordinance No. C-189 provides that all tricycle drivers/operators should be members of organizations. Hon. Zamora added that tricycle organizations are helpful in the monitoring and disciplining of their members.
SP04 Quinciano Lopena of the City Traffic suggested that prior to the releasing of permits of the tricycle drivers/operators, the City Permits and Licensing Division should check whether said tricycle driver/operator are members of any organization. With regards to the issue of the lack of information, one tricycle operator/driver suggested that a public hearing be conducted in order to let the 3,000 tricycle drivers/operators know about the P7 minimum fare rate. Hon. Gonzaga also suggested that a simple signage indicating the minimum fare of P7 and the resolution number be placed on the windshields of the tricycles-for-hire. All the suggestions were positively taken by the Hon. Pabe, Chair of the Public Utilities Committee and shall be acted upon at the soonest possible time.

It is an honor of the City to have our Provincial Coordinator of Let’s Do it Philippines, Kagawad Clement Lofranco Ingking of Barangay Booy, to be one of the 6 selected Philippine delegates to join the Clean World Conference 2015 in Riga, Latvia, Western Europe.
During the First regular session of the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod, Hon. Lucille Lagunay invited Kag. Ingking to elaborate more about the Let’s Do it Philippines. Let’s Do It Philippines is a civic-led mass movement with a zero-budget campaign aiming to get 5 million clean-up volunteers for the simultaneous cleaning up of the whole country. For this year, the Let’s Do It Philippines Clean-Up is scheduled on September 20, 2015 a day after the International Coastal Clean-Up day.
Kag. Ingking’s participation in the Clean World Conference 2015, being one of the environmental leaders of the country will enable him to share, inspire and network with worldwide leaders to help solve Solid Waste problems.
Hon. Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso believes that Kag.Inking’s learnings during the Clean World Conference will make him a valuable resource in crafting legislative measures for Environmental protection.

The Proposed Resolution 14-15 entitled “A Resolution Adopting the Final List Of Anti-Poverty Reduction Projects For Bottom-Up Budgeting Process (Bub) For Fiscal Year 2016 Approved By the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT) On February 4, 2015” which sponsored by Hon. Bebiano M. Inting was approved by the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod headed by City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso during their regular session last February 6, 2014.
A total of P15 million was allotted for these 8 Anti-Poverty Reduction Projects in 2016 which is in response to the National Government’s goal towards the realization of the Social Contract with the Filipino people by improving the overall quality of life of the Filipino and translating the gains on good governance into direct, substantial benefits that will empower the poor and marginalized segments of the society. Projects include backyard farming, food production,provision of seedlings, skills training and other livelihood projects. Beneficiaries for these projects will be different from the beneficiaries of the 2015 projects. Engr. Stella Margate, Head of the City Planning and Development and Mr. Mardonio Roxas, head of DILG(City), were present during the session to give more details regarding the proposed resolution.
These projects were identified by the Local Poverty Reduction Action Team (LPRAT)chaired by the Local Chief Executive and composed of the Chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Appropriations Committee, the Planning Officer, Agriculture Officer, Social Welfare and Development Officer, Budget Officer, Liga ng mga Barangay, Local Government Operations Officer, DSWD Municipal Links, a Pantawid Pamilya Parent-Leader, a Community Health Team Leader, LGU accredited CSOs, NGA accredited/recognized CSOs, NAPC identified basic sector representatives and a private sector representative.

City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso presided the first special session of the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Tagbilaran for the year today, February 3.
The Special session focused mainly on the Proposed ordinance No. 23-14 by Hon. Adam Jala which is entitled, “Amending Chapter III (Legislative Development), Articles A (Legislative Management), B (Sanggunian Rules and Procedures), and C (Rules and Procedures in Administrative Investigations), Sections 46-104 of the 2007 Revised Code of Administrative Ordinances of the City of Tagbilaran.
The Rules were discussed section by section to check if there are provisions which are no longer relevant and to check if the proposed amendments are consistent with existing laws.
Most of the amendments were inclusions of provisions in the Republic Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991. However, there were amendments introduced by the Hon. Adam Jala which elicited different opinions from other councillors and were marked for further study and will be discussed at another meeting.
Gray areas which are already marked for further discussion included the amendments regarding the Oversight Function of the Sanggunian, Abolition of the Minority and Majority Floor Leader and shall be replaced by a Floor Leader only, Appointing of a Sergeant at Arms, Power of the Vice Mayor to hire and appoint researchers and consultants, and the restructuring of the Standing Committees.
The whole body of the 12th SP all agreed that it is high time to update its existing rules of procedure in order to achieve maximum efficiency in the flow of legislative measures and to more effectively perform the duties and functions of the Sanggunian under the law.

After the successful joint session with the Sangguniang Barangay of Cogon last Friday, the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod is now back in its temporary office in the Jorge Lao Building, Dampas to hold its last session in January 2015. During the session, City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso, enjoined everyone to hold a moment of silence in honor of the forty-four 44 PNP SAF killed in the line of duty in observance with the National Day of Mourning as declared by President Aquino and all throughout the session, the Philippine flag was flown at half mast.
The Sanggunian Panlungsod proceeded to tackle their agenda and discussed the committee reports one by one. On top of their priorities is the Proposed Ordinance No. 23-14 which is sponsored by Hon.Adam Jala, which will be further discussed in a special meeting this Tuesday due to its complexity and importance. PO No. 23-14 proposes the Amending of Chapter III (Legislative Development), Articles A (Legislative Management), B (Sanggunian Rules and Procedures) and C (Rules and Procedures in Administrative Investigations), Sections 46 to 104 of the 2007 Revised Code of Administrative Ordinances of the City of Tagbilaran.
Other topics discussed were the Committee reports about the Biblical passages on motorized tricycles, the renewal application for franchise to operate motorized tricycles for hire in the city, the Annual Budget of Bool amounting P 3.7 Million, the Annual Budget of Tiptip amounting P 3.405 Million, giving authority to the City Mayor and the City Legal officer to enter into expropriation proceedings in behalf of the City and lastly giving authority to the City Mayor John Geesnell Yap to enter into a Memorandum of Understading with the United States of America International Development (USAID)

The First Joint Session for the year 2015 of the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Barangay of Cogon was successfully conducted last Janaury 23, 2015 at the Barangay Hall of Cogon.
City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso led the 12th Sanggunian in digging deeper into the issues of the Barangay Cogon and devise ways on how they can help the barangay. Punong Barangay Nicanor Besas took the opportunity to relay all the pending concerns of the barangay that has been bugging them even during the previous administrations. .Six out of eight department heads/ representatives of the executive deparment led by City Administrator Edi Borja, which is so far the most number of department representatives that ever attended a joint session, were also present to share their point of view, plan the course of actions for the barangay and the city to help them in resolving the issues.
The joint session had to extended until the afternoon of January 23 because they were keen on finishing the discussion of the top 11 concerns and issues of the Cogon Barangay.
a. Issues regarding illegal reclamation in Pook Pantalan will be further discussed during the committee of the whole because of the complexity of reclamation issues and will need t touch base with the Philippine Reclamation Authority and DENR.
b. The SP recommended to create a joint resolution by the City and Barangay to seek the help of the City Mayor, regarding the stagnant water at the back of the City Fire Station.
c. The City Health also asked the SP to revise the existing ordinance regarding the backyard hog raising,to totally disallow backyard hog raising in the city in answer to the problem faced b the regarding the sanitation violation of backyard hog-raising
d. The Barangay was also able to get the legal advice of the City Legal Officer and the councilor-lawyers in the filing of an expropriation case for road right of way which are still in dispute. City Assessor was also there to explain how lands are assessed which will aid them in the expropriation case.
e. The City Engineering Office was able to inform the body regarding illegally constructed buildings along Pook Pantalam, possible drainage for Gasanai Area and the upgrading of the Lamdagan St.

f. Issues on the issuance of CTC were also adequately answered by the City Treasurer and further emphasized the importance of ensuring that issuance of CTC should be personal and should be based on the gross income.
g. Lastly, issues regarding implementation of curfew hours and the operation of internet cafés during class hours and after curfew hours will be personally acted upon by the City Administrator.

In order to help the City Mayor decide on which bank is most beneficial for the City Government in the long run, the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod led by City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso invited representatives from the Development Bank of the Philippines and the Land Bank of the Philippines to elaborate further on their offers to finance the loan to be funded by the World Bank.
DBP representatives led by Atty. Marissa Anino, Branch Head and Mr. Fernando Laghit,VP DBP Regional Office ad LBP representatives led by Ms. Marliou Cardenas, Branch head and Mr. Cecilio Clarete, head of LBP Lending Center, joined the SP Committee of the Whole meeting last January 21, 2015 at the Jorge Lao Building Dampas.
Development Bank of the Philippines proposed their program Regional Infrastructure for Growth Project (RIGP) which is a post-disaster reconstruction facility (Infrastructure Projects) for Typhoon Yolanda and Bohol Earthquake affected areas. They have a financing mix 90% – National Government Grant and 10% – LGU Participation thru a Loan with the World Bank (DBP as Financial Intermediary) with an interest rate of 6.75% which is still negotiable and an availment date of until November 30, 2016. The amount of loan will be 10% of total project cost but not to exceed the LGU’s borrowing capacity indicated on the BLGF Certification with a repayment term of up to fifteen (15) years, inclusive of three (3-year) grace period on principal.
Land Bank of the Philippines, on the other hand, named their program as Support for Strategic Local Development & Investment Project (S2LDIP). The S2LDIP was restructured by the World Bank to cater to the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure projects of Local Government Units as well as Water Districts affected by Typhoon Yolanda and Bohol Earthquake. They also have a similar financing mix of 90% Government of the Philippine Grant and 10% Loan from S2LDIP funded by the World Bank. They have an interest rate of 7% – 9% per annum (fixed for the entire term) or the variable rate, which will be Cost of S2LDIP funds + minimum LBP spread of 1% subject to semi-annual or annual re-pricing and an implementation date of until April 30, 2016. The amount of loan will be based on the requirement of the project but should not exceed the Net Borrowing Capacity (For LGUs) and based on cash flow (For Water Districts) with a repayment term of maximum of 12 years inclusive of 2 years grace period on principal.
Clarification was also made by the DBP that they have no unliquidated matters with the World Bank and they are qualified as to finance the loan to be granted by the World Bank.
With the detailed explanation of both banking institutions, the 12th SP hopes that the City mayor will be guided in choosing what is the best option to help serve the Tagbilaranons. The manifestations of both banks will also help the Sangguniang Panlungsod in passing resolutions ratifying whichever contract the Mayor will decide to enter into.

The 12^th Sangguniang Panlungsod led by City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso, held its first session for the year 2015 yesterday at the Lao Building this City. The lawmakers tackled the damages in the city and other municipalities caused by the Typhoon Seniang, which hit the Visayas region just before year 2014 ended. The city was spared from major damages, but the municipality of Loboc suffered severe flood due to the rising of the Loboc river.  The councilors were quick to extend their help to our fellow Boholanos in Loboc and the newly seated councilor, Atty. Agustinus Gonzaga, proposed the first resolution for 2015 to authorize the Honorable City Mayor John Geesnell L. Yap II to extend financial assistance to the Municipality of Loboc amounting to 1 million pesos charged to the Calamity fund of the city. The resolution was unanimously approved by the whole Sangguniang Panlungsod.

On the other hand, Atty. Gonzaga expressed his objection to the approval of the proposed resolution 190-14 which authorizes the Honorable City Mayor to borrow funds, negotiate and enter into a loan agreement with Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP).  Atty. Gonzaga expressed qualms in making a hasty approval and wanted to further study the resolution and know the terms and condition of the loan agreement. Because of the objection expressed by Atty. Gonzaga, the council decided to divide the house for the approval of the resolution. In the end, those who were in favor of the said resolution won, leading to the approval of the said resolution.

City Vice Mayor Jose Antonio S. Veloso introduced the newest members of the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod, Hon. Dulce C. Glovasa, wife of the late councilor, Atty Oscar B. Glovasa, and Atty. Agustinus V. Gonzaga, replacing the seat of the late councilor, Atty. Alexander H. Lim, during the joint session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod and the Sangguniang Barangay of Poblacion II last Wednesday. This is the first regular session and first out-of-the-city hall session that the two new councilors had attended and will be their chance to witness first-hand the 12th Sangguniang Panlungsod in action. The joint session with Poblacion II emphasized the problems faced by their barangay. Discussions focused on the issues about local peace and order situation of Pob. II, the proliferation of vagrancy and rising number of out of school youth, the proprietary issue over the lot occupied by the current barangay hall, and the worsening traffic situation and congestion of vehicles and other inconsistencies in terms of traffic policy implementation in Barangay Poblacion II. Department heads of the Office of the Building Official, City Permit and Licensing and City Traffic were invited to answer possible queries of the members of both councils. During the session, it was found out that most of the issues require the action from the City Mayor for the implementation of previously passed ordinances. The body decided to refer the issues to the appropriate committees of the SP for further study and investigation in order to give the proper recommendation for action to the City Mayor.