Lapu-Lapu SP to meet tomorrow for last session

CEBU, Philippines - Outgoing Vice Mayor and presiding officer Mario Amores will deliver his valedictory address tomorrow afternoon, the day the 11th Sangguniang Panlungsod in Lapu-Lapu City holds its last session.

Amores, a medical doctor by profession, was elected councilor for three consecutive terms and became vice mayor for one term. He did not seek re-election in the last May 10 polls.

Limpangog said many laws and resolutions were adopted under the Amores leadership citing four major achievements during his three-year stay.

Two sessions ago, the council approved an ordinance creating the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro), the smoking ordinance, the dengue ordinance, and the creation of a marine sanctuary in the city.

It was not clear whether opposition Councilor Junard Chan, the lone opposition in the council, would deliver a valedictory speech.

Chan ran for mayor but lost to Paz Radaza, the wife of outgoing Mayor and now Congressman-elect Arturo Radaza.

In a separate interview, City Councilor and incoming Vice Mayor-elect Marcial Ycong lauded Amores for his leadership as the presiding officer. "He has been fair in treating us being the presiding officer. Kahibalo gyud makisama," Ycong said.

Meanwhile, everything is already set for the oath-taking ceremony on June 30.

There will be a 1:00 p.m. mass with a wide screen outside the city hall and the session hall. 

Mayor-elect Paz Radaza, the first lady mayor to be elected by a popular vote, will hold her inauguration inside the session hall of the city council. She defeated Chan, Efrain Pelaez, Isabelito Darnayla, and Vigilio Cano.

Paz succeeds her husband, Arturo, who is on his third and last term but was elected as congressman representing the lone district of Lapu-Lapu City.

Three of the 12 elected members of the city council are new members who will take oath on June 30.

Joining the nephew of the Mayor Radaza will be Harry Don Radaza, Eduardo Patalinghug and Roque Wagwag.

Elected Councilor Melissa Dignos-Vidal, who won in the last election, is not new in the council as she replaced former city councilor Damian Gomez, who resigned last January.

Majority of the council members, however, are either serving their second or third terms. (THE FREEMAN)