BAGUIO CITY- Senior Citizens during their one-day stint in the executive and legislative positions in the local government last week, laid the groundwork for what they want for the city and constituents, more so for senior citizens.
Led by retired Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) employee Isaias Barongan as Vice-Mayor, the SCOFAD council scrutinized each proposed resolution and ordinance' salient points. Barongan presided over the august body, where each councilor presented and defended his own proposal. Of the thirty-seven (37) proposals, 29 were approved; some were referred to appropriate committees or government offices.
The SCOFAD councilors tackled resolutions and ordinances as proposed by themselves, concerning issues in health, education, environment, socio-civic matters, economic, employment, livelihood, the market and utilities, among others
In a proposed resolution which was eventually approved, retired Educator Dr. Placido Abuan requested the city government of Baguio to add one more day "for the tour of duty of the SCOFAD officials to give more meaning to RA 9994, or the expanded Senior Citizen Act of 2010."
Through another resolution, SC Councilor RomeoUmali requested the congressman to file a bill in the House of Congress to enable senior citizen representatives to become ex-officio members in the barangay and city council. He stated that senior citizens could present relevant legislation from their relevant experiences, acquired knowledge and wisdom, for a better barangay, city and the nation as a whole.
SC Councilor Carlito Ballesteros who took over the chairmanship of the Employment, Livelihood and Cooperatives, Handicapped and Differently-Abled Persons committee from Councilor Fred Bagbagen proposed measures to solve traffic congestion along General Luna and Assumption roads as these lead to two private schools and two hospitals. A four-way overpass was proposed, as with limiting the time for school services to pick up pupils in the vicinity; to minimize human and vehicular traffic specially during dismissal, and event emergencies.
Another proposal from SC Ballesteros was referred to the committee on laws for referral to the house of Congress; lowering the age limit for senior citizen indigents, from 80 to 70 years old, to avail of financial assistance from the government, and increase of monthly allowance from P500.00 to P1,000.00.
Retired government employee, Senior Citizen Councilor Antonio Padlan who took over Councilor Phillian Louise Weygan-Allan's committee on Ethics, Governmental Affairs and Personnel, proposed for the honoring of three-term local elective officials, as they are the "people's choice;" and, for senior citizen association chapter to adopt a micro-loan assistance program. Loans should be for the senior citizen's hospital and basic medical needs, utility bills and additional capital for an existing business.
SC Councilor Hermina Pascua took over the Council Committee Chairmanship for Public Utilities, Transportation and Traffic Legislation from Councilor Nicasio Aliping, Jr.; and tackled the job with proposals giving preference to senior citizens as to public services. With her proposed resolutions, taxicab operators are given warnings; through posting a standard notice inside their vehicles as to lawful discounts accorded to senior citizens and the restoration of blue lane crossing under the city overpasses. Said blue lanes are for the "exclusive use of senior citizens and persons with disabilities," and proposed to be at Abanao, Harrison road, Session road, and city hall to the public market area.
SC Councilor Casimero Viray, Jr.who handled the Human Rights, Justice, Public Protection and Safety, Peace and Order committee chairmanship from Councilor Ed Bilog, proposed for the purchase and installation of closed circuit television at selected traffic lights and locations to maintain peace and order. He also proposed for the office of the permits and licensing to inspect all auto repair shops; as to the availability and adequate space for vehicle repair. As observed, some repair shops use roadside shoulder and sidewalks as extension for repair jobs. Machines causing noise, thus disturbing a peaceful neighborhood, should also be checked, he said, and all rules and regulations should be strictly complied with.
In addition, SC Viray, Jr. requested the Office of the City Mayor to issue exemptions for senior citizens from the number coding scheme within the city. The Baguio City Police Office and Traffic Management Board will have to look at this, though, with guidelines needed for its implementation.
The Social Services, Women and Urban Poor Council Committee Chairmanship held by Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, was passed on to SC Flora Balaba; who proposed that health districts include geriatric services, due to proximity to residence and familiarity between medical practitioners and senior citizen-clients. SC Councilor Balaba also proposed for business establishments' parking slots for senior citizens, preferably near entrance and exit areas for easier access; and a request for Philippine Long Distance Corporation to (PDT) to rehabilitate telephone boots for free emergency hotlines. The telephone lines should be interlinked for reportage and quick response between and among the Local government unit, BCPO, Women and Children Protection Unit, City Social Welfare and Development Office, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, and the Baguio Fire Protection Office.
In consonance to an earlier proposal, SC Balaba also requested for an assigned personnel to assist senior citizens in crossing blue pedestrian lanes, to ensure their safety.
SC Generosa Carbonell took care of the Health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Protection committee from Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia; and requested assistance from Congressman Bernardo Vergara for the improvement of the residential care facility to the elderly at lower Session road, and also asked the local government of Baguio through Mayor Mauricio Domogan to allocate medicines at the Baguio General Hospital for out-patient senior citizens. SC Carbonell also requested the mayor to amend the Administrative Order for the regular inspection of public utility wires; to avoid accidents.
The Laws committee from Councilor Richard Carino to SC Councilor Sonya Damasco-Nigos was ably handled with proposed resolutions; one, which strongly urged the BCPO to intensify its campaign against robbery and theft in the city, through ways including posting photos of identified criminals in familiar places to warn the general public. Another proposed ordinance which was referred to the appropriate committee, legislated for the prohibition and penalizing of pedestrians when using cellular phones, headphones and other gadgets that restrict sight and hearing when crossing streets and roads.
SC Councilor Ruperto Ferrer who handled the Urban Planning, Lands and Housing Committee chairmanship from Councilor Isabelo Cosalan, Jr., urged the Fire Marshall, BCPO, Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers and United Architect of the Philippines, both of the Baguio Chapter, to investigate the use of walkways, alleys of malls and commercial buildings as selling areas, and submit the findings and recommendations within thirty (30) days. The stalls in the passage ways cause inconvenience to mall goers including senior citizens, and may endanger lives during emergency situations, SC Ferrer notes. Through another approved resolution, he also requested for the relocation of the Harrison road night market to lake drive, Burnham Park; citing traffic, commercial, safety and security concerns.
Councilor Nicasio Palaganas passed on the responsibility of the Public Works committee chairmanship to Dr. Placido Abuan who requested the city council to allocate funds for a mini park at Cresencia Village barangay as a resting venue and playground. For general safety, also, SC councilor Dr. Abuan proposed that churches and schools install first aid kits and assign knowledgeable personnel for emergency/medical purposes.
SC Councilor Conrado Catral, Sr. took over Councilor Elmer Datuin's committee on Tourism, Special Events, Parks and Playgrounds and requested that the Centennial Park, also known as Igorot Village, Botanical Garden or Imelda Park be rehabilitated and possibly set up as a mini-zoo as additional tourist attraction. He further requested the city government to conduct a feasibility study on providing at least two (2) tourist buses to ferry visitors, on an itinerary, to tourist spots in the city as is being done in other Asian countries. A reasonable tour fee would be collected for maintenance and personnel, he added.
Councilor Perlita Chan-Rondez, the council chairperson for Market, Trade and Commerce handed over her job for a day to SC Cristeta Antonio; who proposed that Mayor Domogan prohibit ambulant vendors from doing their trade along Session road and all overpasses in the Central Business District. These areas should be declared as zero vending areas, she added.
The Barangay Affairs committee from Councilor Joel Alangsab was under the care of SC Councilor Monroe Taclawan, who proposed support for the transfer of maintenance of streetlights from the city government to the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO). He also requested Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) chair Karminn Cheryl Dinney Yangot to allocate funds for visible, presentable, uniform, and centralized-done signages as to waste segregation. He earlier noted that signages to that effect are sometimes not very visible, nor presentable, thus the proposed resolution.
Lawyer Peter Fianza passed on the council committee chairmanship on Education, Culture and Historical Research to SC Councilor Romeo Umali, for a day. He then proposed an ordinance for the application of the 20% discount on taxi fares for senior citizens; with violators being penalized an amount not higher than P1000 and/or imprisonment of not more than five days. SC Councilor Umali also proposed that pupils and students be actively involved in a "barangay-led ecological solid waste management program...through efficient research development and information education campaign."
Sangguniang Kabataaan Federation President Yangot yielded her seat to SC Councilor Alfredo Alvarado, Sr. for a day, with the Youth Welfare and Sports Development committee chairmanship. SC Councilor Alvarado, Sr. in two proposed resolutions urged all barangays in the city to strengthen their barangay councils for the protection of children; and also the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to closely monitor the expanded senior citizen act of 2010, with regards to senior citizen benefits, as some do not comply.
Educator Dr. Milandre Rusgal handled the congressman's office, while Mayor Domogan handed over his seat to SC Mayor Federico Balanag over for a day.
The one-day stay in office is in accordance with council ordinance no. 57, series of 2009, that gives cognizance to senior citizens' role in "participatory governance."
The city's top SCOFADs were earlier screened by City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan, Retired Col. Napoleon Gojo, Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA) Head Engineer Leopoldo Escano, Baguio Elderly Association (BEA) and Baguio-Benguet Association of Retired Persons (BARP) President Federico Balanag, Federation President Dr. Milandre Rusgal, and PGREA President Isaias Barongan.
City Hall department heads also had their "replacements" for a day: Crispina Luna for City Accountant Antonio Tabin, Adorado de Guzman for City Administrator Atty. Carlos Canilao, Elizabeth Rentar for City Assessor Augustus Medina, Alejandro Nigos for City Auditor Noemi Tagudar, Rogelio Luna, Sr. for City Budget Officer Atty. Leticia Clemente, Engr. Filemon Longakit, Jr. for City Building Officer Engr. Oscar Flores, Mila Dar for City Civil Registrar Sylvia Laudencia, Clarita Dulay-Climacosa for Dep-Ed City Schools Division Superintendent Ellen Donato, Ph.D., Balbina Ernesto for City Director Department of Interior and Local Government Evelyn Trinidad, Engr. Jesus Luzadas for City Engr., Engr. Leo Bernardez, Narciso Tabajen for City Environment Parks Management Officer Cordelia Lacsamana, and Vincent Salabao for General Services Officer Romeo Concio.
Edugivis Campos had a day, vice Dr. Florence Reyes as City Health Officer, Gloria Molina as Human Resource and Management Officer vice Estrella Bisquera, Atty. Panfilo Salango as City Legal Officer vice Atty. Melchor Carlos Rabanes, Feliberto Longboan as City Planning Officer vice Engr. Evelyn Cayat, and Florentino Awingan as City Secretary, vice Prudencio Parnacio, Jr.
The SCOFAD officials shall conduct more activities; tree planting, inspection of parks in and tourist spots in the city next week.
