Talisay SP approves Gullas street measure

CEBU, Philippines - Following a debate, the Talisay City council yesterday morning approved the proposed ordinance naming a street which traverses barangays Lawaan 1 and II, Mohon, and Pooc as Congressman Antonio Bacaltos Sr. Street.

Earlier, opposition councilors complained on the way the administration bloc allegedly railroaded the approval of the proposal, authored by Councilor Eduardo Gullas III.

In his sponsorship speech however, Gullas told the body that the majority has “no plans of railroading the proceedings,” saying that two public consultations were made for his proposed law.

The first public consultation was held the other week with barangay chiefs, and another consultation was made just last Thursday at the People’s Hall attended by representatives of various sectors.

As to the contention of the opposition councilors that the subject street could be owned by the province hence the city has no jurisdiction over it, Gullas said under the Charter of Talisay City which was crafted by his grandfather first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas, it “shows that all streets, same as those that are national thoroughfares belong” to the city of Talisay.

For their part, opposition Councilors Romeo Villarante, Danny Caballero, and Val Ylanan said they had no objection to the passage of Gullas’s proposal, only it should be done with “due process.”

Villarante earlier said the proposed ordinance’s approval was railroaded on the ground that the council was not given enough time to discuss it and that the same should be given time to follow the recommendations set by a concerned committee, in this case, the committee on laws.

Majority leader Rodi Cabigas however said the proposal was filed in the council last March 6 and was referred to the committee on laws, which rendered its report last week.

If there was railroading, he said they should have approved it right away.

“We are 100 percent supportive of the passing of this ordinance, only, we have do it in accordance with the Local Government Code,” Villarante said.

And to show their support, Villarante moved that the proposal be approved on mass motion with him, Caballero, and Ylanan as co-sponsors.

But Cabigas objected to this, saying they had bad comments against the proposal hence they should not be made as co-sponsors.

It did not matter to Villarante however, who said it was “okay” and “alright” for them not to be included in Gullas’s law, and explained that they were only making “clarificatory questions” and not expressing their disapproval of it.