Sanggunian okays opposition dad's measure

CEBU, Philippines – The Talisay City council appeared generous to the minority bloc yesterday when it approved the proposed resolution of opposition Councilor Danny Caballero without any fuss.

Caballero, for his part, was surprised when Proposed Resolution

No. 2010-5-4, the first one filed by a minority councilor in this 4th Sangguniang Panlungsod, was approved without question from the administration bloc.

Part of the 4th SP's Internal Rules and Procedure (Section 3 of Rule X: Ordinances and Resolutions), states that "only the Chairman of the Committee may pass or sponsor an ordinance or a resolution with the subject pertaining to his committee."

It however adds that " any member of the committee may likewise pass a measure provided he/she shall have obtained the authority from the Committee Chair."

Caballero had the backing of Councilor Bernard Odilao, who is chairman of the concerned committee, Agriculture.

Caballero's resolution was a request for Mayor Socrates Fernandez and the chief of police to detail policemen to assist the city's bantay dagat task force or the Fishermen Sea Ecological Care (Fiseca) in enforcing the environmental laws.

The measure's proponent is one of the two minority councilors, the other one being Councilor Romeo Villarante, who got elected to the post.

Caballero however said that during their caucus, which happened before the session proper, there were administration councilors who insisted that it was against house rules.

He also quoted Vice Mayor Alan Bucao saying that there is no need to file such resolution since the police in the city presently lack the manpower.

For his part, Caballero, who is vice chairman to the said committee, insisted that the point he pushed for the approval of his measure was to make sure that destructive fishing practices that seem "rampant" and unrestrained in the municipal waters of Talisay will be stopped.

The city's Fiseca, he added, is no match to big-time commercial fishing boats, for example, whose men could likely be armed, hence, there is a need for reinforcement from the police.

"Whereas, it has been observed that illegal fishermen are still prevalent within the seawaters of Talisay City and even use steel boats and come armed... the FISECA members perform high-risks (sic) activities as part of their job and should be provided police backup to also ensure their security and safety," read a portion of the newly approved resolution. (FREEMAN)