Sept 18 Votes

Approved on First Reading in yesterday's session were my items on the request of the Chamber for exemption from the signage Ordinance for the Davao Trade Expo 07 next month, and the petition of the DACHEA on some problems besetting our employees union.

I voted for two measures granting the zoning reclassification of two urban poor housing projects.

I also partly presided over the session during the debate on the Shelter Code and discussion of items under suspended rules. Vice Mayor Sara Duterte was at City Hall as OIC Mayor, while Councilor Mabel Acosta, our acting presiding officer, had to rush to be by the bedside of his father at a local hospital.

Approved under my watch were 19 Barangay Supplemental Budgets, commendations for Sunstar, Pagcor's free medical clinic and MAJI's seminar on culture; and calls to stop the distribution of tainted toys from China.

Legislative Agenda

Priority Legislative Agenda of the 15th City Council

Economic Development

1. Enactment of the Tourism Code of Davao City

2. Enhancing agricultural growth through sustainable agriculture

3. Updating of the Investment Code to include ICT

Environment

1. Enactment of the Environment Code of Davao City

2. Enactment of the Fisheries Code of Davao City

3. Adoption of a Sewerage System for Davao City

Finance

1. Updating of local measures on taxes, fees & charges

2. Providing for more benefits to city employees

Infra & Urban Planning

1. Updating the Comprehensive Development Plan &

Zonification Ordinance of Davao City

2. Creation of the Davao City Zoo

3. Patubig sa Barangay Potable Water System

Peace & Public Safety

1. Proper Use of Streets Ordinance of Davao City

2. Ordinance on the Control of Volume on Karaoke

Public Administration

1. Establishment of new city facilities/institutions

a. City College (Tech/Voc, Aggie, Arts & Culture)

b. Overland Transport Terminal

c. City Hospital

2. Public Safety Department

3. Davao City Sports Commission

Social Services & Development

1. Comprehensive Health Care System of Davao City

2. Enhancement Legislation & Programs for Women and

Children

3. Enactment of the Older Persons' Welfare Code of Davao City

4. Enactment of the Food Safety Code of Davao City

Sept 3 Votes

I sponsored one item for 3rd and final reading yesterday on the Deed of Donation for the lots for open spaces and roads at the Yniguez Subdivision in Maa.

I also voted for the following measures:

Accreditation of the Sotoda Transport Cooperative; Agdao Multipurpose Cooperative; and Sasa Bolinao Fisherfolks Multipurpose Cooperative.

The Supplemental Budgets of over two dozen Barangays.

And the inclusion of the Pantat Festival at Los Amigos in our calendar of tourism activities.

August 28 Votes

At yesterday's session, I delivered a privilege speech on the sudden increase in airport terminal fees. I also authored two Resolutions, seeking the suspension of the increase in airport terminal fees, and the devolution of land transportation franchising to local governments.

In the absence of the chair of the Committee on Housing, I was asked to present six committee reports - three miscellaneous sales applications, two special use permits for cemeteries, and a deed of donation for a subdivision open spaces and road lots. I sponsored six Resolutions and one Ordinance for these committee reports.

New Resolutions

Our latest proposed Resolutions are now up at our wikislation:

Devolving land transportation franchising to LGUs, and

Public market reform program.

Please send in your comments and ideas. Thanks a lot!

Airport Safety Ordinance

Our proposed Davao (Bangoy) International Airport Safety Ordinance, which is now the subject of public hearings by the Committee on Energy, Transportation & Communication, is now up at our wikislation.

Share your thoughts and contribute to its final crafting.

August 21 Votes

There is little in our agenda today.

I voted for the Resolution to grant the Development Permit for the A. Pizzaro Village Homeowners Association socialized housing project located at Barangay Panacan containing an area of 16,287 square meters.

I voted for the Committee Report as well as the Resolution on the Comprehensive Shelter Code of Davao City.

Discussion is still going on for the Ordinance itself.

1st Update - 10:27 a.m.
It's been 30 minutes now, veteran Councilor Vic Advincula is still interpellating the reporting chair Councilor Arnolfo Ricardo Cabling. The former sought clarification on the term "tenure security," among others provisions in the Code.

2nd Update - 11:08 a.m.
After another 30 minutes of debate, including my query on how to deal with "rural housing" in this proposed code, the item was finally deferred for the next session.

We are now under suspended rules and I just voted for budget proposals for 36 barangays.

August 14 Session

I partly presided over our City Council session yesterday. Speaker Pro-tempore Councilor Mabel Acosta actually presided our session because Vice Mayor Sara Duterte is OIC at the City Mayor's Office.

Midway in our suspended rules, Acosta asked me to preside to give her time to have her lunch break.

Thus, outside of the vice mayor and pro-temp I was the first member of the Council to preside the session of the 15th Council. I did the same feat in 2001 when I was the first neophyte to preside our session in the 13th Council.

I voted yesterday in favor the 3rd and final reading of Supplemental Budget No. 1; the approval of the Development Permit of RDL Staff Housing Project; and a few items under suspended rules.

Also approved yesterday was my Resolution re opening of the Chinese consulate in the city.

Agenda for August 14

The City Council agenda tomorrow includes 58 items under 1st Reading, 1 item under 3rd and final Reading (Supplemental Budget No. 1), and 5 items under 2nd Reading. The latter all coming from the Committee on Housing, Rural & Urban Development.

Re-opening of the Chinese consulate

I have rewritten my Resolution seeking the re-opening of the Chinese consulate in Davao City. It is now in my wiki with two comments. Please send in yours.

I hope to present it at the City Council on August 14.