BAGUIO CITY – The local legislative body reorganized the composition of its standing committees as a start of their legislative functions for the present term.
Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan was named as the chairperson of the Committee on Ways and Means, Budget, Appropriations and Finance while incumbent Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president and Councilor Michael L. Lawana remained the chair of the Committee on Barangay Affairs.
Incumbent Sangguniang Kabataan Federation (SKF) president Levy Lloyd Orcales also maintained the chairing of the Committee on Youth Welfare and Sports Development, being the ex-officio member of the local legislative body representing the youth.
Councilor Joel Alangsab will now chair the Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology and Environmental Preservation and Protection while Councilor Benny O. Bomogao retained the chairing of the Committee on Public Utilities, Traffic and Transport Legislation.
Comebacking Councilor Betty Lourdes F. Tabanda will chair the Committee on Laws, Justice and Human Rights while Councilor Elaine D. Sembrano will chair the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Playgrounds and Special Events.
Councilor Maria Mylen Victoria G. Yaranon retained the chairing of the Committee on Public Works while returning Councilor Isabelo B. Cosalan, Jr. will chair the Committee on Ethics, Governmental Affairs and Personnel.
Re-elected Councilor Francisco Roberto Ortega VI was retained as chair of the Committee on Peace and Order, Public Protection and Safety while re-elected Councilor Arthur L. Alad-iw also retained his chair for the Committee on Employment, Livelihood and Cooperatives and Persons with Disabilities.
Neophyte Councilor Vladimir Cayabas will chair the Committee on Education, Culture, Arts and Historical Research and will serve as the representative of the City Council to the City School Board while comebacking Councilor Fred Bagbagen will chair the powerful Committee on Urban Planning, Lands and Housing.
Re-elected Councilor Lilia A. Fariñas was retained as chair of the Committee on Social Services, Women and Urban Poor and Councilor Philian Louise Weygan will chair the Committee on market, Trade, Commerce and Agriculture.
The members of the local legislative body approved the internal rules of procedure which will govern the conduct of the regular sessions, committee hearings, public hearings, among other activities of the local legislators.
Further, Vice Mayor Olowan will also serve as the chairperson of the 3 clusters of the Committee on Barangay Cases that will hear the administrative cases being filed against alleged erring barangay officials from the city’s 128 barangays.
Olowan assured the support of the local legislative body to the programs, projects and activities of the present administration in a bid to build a better Baguio considering the expected enormous task ahead to rehabilitate the city.
By Dexter A. See