Friday, August 29, 2008

Entrepreneurial Farmer


Ambrosio R. Villorente

Cawaling Is Generous of Power
On May 9, 2008, Mayor Ceciron S. Cawaling of Malay, Aklan drafted, finalized and issued Executive Order No. 186, Series of 2008. The Executive Order delegated some "of the inherit powers, functions and duties of the local chief executive of the Municipality of Malay. . . to the Executive Assistant V".
Mayor Cawaling specifically mentioned in the Executive Order 23 functions he delegated to his Executive Assistant V on the basis of the pertinent provisions of RA No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991.
Mayor Cawaling for instance authorized his Executive Assistant V, Mr. Edgardo R. Sancho to represent the LGU Malay in all its business transactions, allocates and assigns office spaces to municipal officials and employee; authorize official trips outside of the town of Malay, authorize payment for medical care, transportation, hospital or medical fees of town officials and employees, issue licenses and permits and other functions Mayor Cawaling discharges.
According to Mayor Cawaling, as stated in his Executive Order No. 186, there is a need to delegate some of the inherent powers, functions and duties because of the magnitude of the functions and duties of the Municipal Mayor like him, which need appropriate action to, and matters that require urgent and quick responses, hence the delegation.
It is noted that nowhere in the Executive Order No. 186 is written that Mayor Cawaling is also delegating responsibilities. Therefore, while Cawaling delegated power, functions and authority, he did not delegate any responsibility. This means, any success Mr. Sancho achieves, Mayor Cawaling is responsible. On the other hand, any mistake Mr. Sancho commits, Mayor Cawaling is responsible and the man to blame.
Mayor Cawaling’s issuance of Executive Order No. 186 and his action to delegate his functions, powers and duties proved Cawaling is not hungry of power. He believes "two heads are better than one". He believes in power sharing to facilitate the provision of solution to problems.
By delegating his power, functions and authority to another official is a great assurance that the Office of the Mayor of Malay, Aklan will carry on the normal functions of the Municipal Mayor even during his absence as another man is legally entrusted to act on matters brought to the Office of the Mayor.
Mayor Ciceron Cawaling of Malay has started the practice of delegation of authority. May other mayors and other chiefs of offices can delegate power to his most trusted official to improve productivity, hasten progress and enhance problem solving.

Arbitrary Increase Rate

Akelco, because of its whim-wham, increased its rate by P0.59 for June-July 2008 billing and another P0.69 per kilowatt hour in its July – Aug. 2008 billing.
For the interest of the Aklanon consumers, Hon. Ramon Gelito (Kusog – Western Aklan) filed resolution in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of Aklan "Requesting the Energy Regulatory Commission to Conduct an Investigation and Determine The Propriety of Rate Increases Implemented By The Aklan Electric Cooperative for the Month of July – August 2008."
Hon. Plaridel Morania (Tibyog – Eastern Side) objected for its immediate approval. He wished to wait for the information the Akelco will furnish the Aklan SP relative to the rate increase. Why wait for Akelco? Wait for eternity? Akelco must have informed its consumer – members its intention and rationale to increase rate before collecting the increase. Hon. Morania who is a very know-ledgeable scholar must have known that Akelco is a public utility distributor which is mandated to consult its clients before effecting and collecting any increase in cost of electricity.
What Akelco did to effect its rate increase was a guerrilla tactic. "Badidon kag baydan". In 1942–1944 when the members of the guerrilla unit in Banga needed food they just shot chicken and pigs. After catching it, they looked for the owners and paid the amount the guerrilla wished to pay. In this case, Akelco just increased its rate arbitrarily, then explain if there is any question regarding the increase rate.
And here is an honorable man, SP member, Hon. Morania procrastinating approval of a proposal to demand explanation why Akelco has increased its rate without getting the consumers’ consent and who are compelled to pay or if not, they will have black out." /MP

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