DAVAO ORIENTAL – In the next three years, the 16th Sangguniang Panlalawigan, under the helm of its regular Presiding Officer, Vice Governor Niño Sotero Uy, will focus on innovating more relevant legislations, in strong support to the development agenda of Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang, thus, making the executive and legislative agenda stronger and really geared towards addressing the needs of the people.
In the inaugural session of the 16th Sangguniang Panlalawigan on July 3, 2019, the expression of profound gratitude reverberated in all corners of the gallery, and it served as the most fitting start to the inaugural speeches of the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
For the re-elected members of the Provincial Board— Board Members Louie Rabat, Anacleto Macatabog, Ian Larcia, Dennis Roflo, Dante Caubang, Joselito Villademosa, and Laureano Taya, they took the chance given to them to serve again for another term as challenging and would mean a good, instantaneous, and competent delivery of services to the constituents of the province.
Gratitude is not enough for newly elected Board Members Enrico Antopuesto, Marietta Palmera, and Nelson Dayanghirang, Jr., for gratitude has to be manifested and proven through dedication, determination, and perseverance to the challenges in heeding to the call of public service.
The re-elected and the newly elected officials shared a common denominator though their mission to work as a team, each contributing to a superb performance of primarily crafting legislations, and making their legislative works closer to the people.
Ex-officio members and sectoral representatives Rabsalon Lamaran, Philippine Councilors’ League-Davao Oriental Chapter President; Rustan Castillones, Federation of the Association of Barangay Captains President; Charlie Ambasan, Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative; and Ronald Lara, Jr., Sangguniang Kabataan Provincial Federation President, vowed to continue bringing the real voices of the sectors they are representing at the Sanggunian, and initiate programs that would make their sectors play a pivotal role in government.
“I stand here with fulfillment because not a single piece of legislative measure was denied by this august body in support to the executive agenda of Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang, as proven by the 732 committee reports, 581 resolutions, and 56 ordinances passed and approved by the 15th SP,” said Vice-Gov. Nino Uy.
One major legislation approved by the previous body which made a big impact to the legislative councils is the institutionalization of the Mobile Session, an avenue for the local legislators in the province to share their legislative thoughts and further foster camaraderie.
The Vice Governor added that the Inter-Sanggunian Friendship Games resulted to a stronger bond among the legislative councils, and through the activity, the Sanggunians showed their true spirit of collaboration as a provincial family
“Let us then pursue our executive legislative agenda through feedback mechanism so we can transform policies into actions. And I am appealing to everyone, let our collaborative work be evident in the next three years,” he added.
Second District Representative Joel Mayo Almario who graced the inaugural session of the16th SP was feeling whimsical and nostalgic when he reminisced the good old days, back when he also served as Vice-Governor of the province for three consecutive terms.
As a legislator also, he happily delineated the bills that he passed in Congress, topping of which is the Cityhood Bill of Mati, the Mount Hamiguitan Wildlife Range and Sanctuary Bill, the Davao Oriental Regional Science High School Bill, and the Davao Oriental State University Bill, among others.
“I will continue to legislate measures that should benefit the constituents, measures that will complement the efforts of the provincial government so we can maximize the benefits for the people,” he stressed.
Gov. Nelson Dayanghirang also lauded the hard work of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
“We cannot attain and experience development if we will not work together. We should have and follow only one direction, traverse one path. If we paddle towards different directions, then the public will suffer because we cannot give them the best service that they rightfully deserve from us,” he explained.
He then asked for the continuation and strengthening of their executive and legislative meeting with Board Member Louie Rabat tasked to set the schedule of their session.
The inaugural session was attended by the provincial department heads, heads if the national agencies, heads of institutions, representatives from the academe, civil society organizations, religious organizations, members of the PNP, Philippine Army, Vice Mayor Vicente Orencia of the Municipality of Governor Generoso, Vice Mayor Ronald Ruedas of San Isidro, Mayors Michelle Rabat of the City of Mati, Katrina Joy Orencia of Governor Generoso, and Rowell Rosit of Boston, former Vice-Governor Cirilo Valles, and former Board Member Ana Louise Tambilawan. By: Neela Duallo/Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
