by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM
The legislative agenda of Kalibo’s four Vice Mayoralty aspirants was the focus of public attention during April 17, 2010 weekly Kapehan held at Smokehauz Resto & Bar. Guests were Hon. Madeline A. Regalado (Bigkis Pinoy), Hon. Gregorio R. Malapad (Tibyog), Atty. Immanuel L. Sodusta (Independent) and Mr. Roberto Mejis (Independent).
Each candidate was given 15 minutes constructive speech on his/her accomplishments, proposed legislative program and qualification. It was followed by interpolative questions from opposing parties for clarification and emphasis. Later, speakers were further grilled by media practitioners on other issues that may diffuse emotional tension.
Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino mentioned that there are no hard and fast rules in this debate. Exchange of legislative agenda, personal view-points and interest provide better guide for voters to choose from among the best candidates.
First to take the podium was Atty. Sodusta. He is an active law practitioner for 17 years, member of Board of Directors and later President of Akelco, legal counsel of rural banks, DAR and law professor in a college of law.
His legislative agenda is focused on Kalibo as futuristic World Class City (ISO Certified), progressive and modernized but its foundation built on hard work efficiency. He acknowledged he has no background and experience in legislation but believed he is aptly compensated for by his stint in Akelco where corporate policies are impacting 103,000 household consumer members. This is also reinforced by the Pagbag-o team of no nonsense agenda listing from A to Z.
Atty. Sodusta believed that the fundamental basis to change human nature is education. Prospect of effectively solving and deterring crimes could be facilitated through the internet or Information Technology.
The second speaker was Hon. Gregorio Malapad. He has 15 years experience in legislative work having occupied key positions in the Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan (SB) committees like Budget, Finance, Ways & Means, Rules & Ordinances, Games & Amusements, and Economic Enterprise. An accountant by profession and good in public relations, he was able to muster enough support for the passage of vital ordinances like Municipal Revenue Code, Traffic Code, Solid Waste Management, and Market & Slaughterhouse Ordinances.
The Tibyog party has a 10 point political agenda designed to be proactive and cost-effective to the people we serve. Malapad asserted that Kalibo has one of the best Executive agenda in the Philippines and will just continue this legacy.
Malapad recalled that when he entered the non-career service in 1992, the annual budget of Kalibo was P3 million under Mayor Allen S. Quimpo. In 2010, with sound fiscal policy, it has grown to P175 million under Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo.
The third speaker was Hon. Madeline A. Regalado. She is a two termer Kalibo SB member having been elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2007. A teacher by education, she married a businessman Atty. Wilberto Regalado. She calls herself constructive fiscalizer. A minority party member, she chairs the Senior Citizens, Women & Children’s Welfare committee with professional aplomb.
Regalado subscribes to the dictum that public office is a public trust. Democracy must be properly addressed to by observance of human rights especially free speech, fiscal transparency particularly Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board, performance driven, no political patronage, and refusal to acquire loans saying this is unnecessary and counterproductive.
Priorities of Bigkis Pinoy is focused on three priority agenda which are: immediate relocation of dumpsite, completion and implementation of comprehensive drainage system and modernizing the wet market and slaughterhouse.
The fourth speaker was Mr. Roberto Mejis. He is a BSC holder and has started a post graduate course in MPA. From 1987 – 1995, he worked with government agencies – the DA and DOH. He has significant experience as chairman, Lupong Tagapamayapa in Barangay Poblacion, Kalibo for 19 years. He is a Regional Awardee for exemplary service and dedication mostly by doing volunteer work.
In the field of legislation, he hopes to be spokesperson of the urban poor’s interest and goals. There may be no need of introducing new policy directions since the existing laws and ordinances are pretty adequate. What is more important is the political will to implement them without fear or favor.
While our next door neighbor China is heavily wired through the internet, the Philippines is still in the dark ages of computer literacy. Preempting or combating crimes through the internet is most effective if there is community participation definitely not an exclusive domain of PNP operatives alone. Basically, this is a crippling setback in our peace and order agenda that strives to harness Information Technology.
Hon. Madeline Regalado as member of Finance Committee has aired accusation to incumbent Finance Committee chair Greg Malapad of deliberately ignoring her by not sending proper notice during Committee hearings. This is downright rude if not absurd. Mr. Malapad clarified that presently, they have two Finance Committees namely: The Executive and Legislative. Obviously, only the Executive Committee is active while the Legislative is inactive or non-functional. Relevant questions: How on earth could you pass the Municipal Revenue and Market and Slaughterhouse Codes without approval and endorsement of the Legislative Finance Committee? Aren’t the minority party members like Regalado entitled to participate or at least discharge her nominal function? Indeed we have ample evidence of partisan politics at its worse in Kalibo today.
Hon. Greg Malapad said his legislative agenda will also focus on elimination of political divide once he assumes the Vice Mayoralty post. He means the people will close ranks, forget their party affiliation and begin the task of town building. A guaranteed success requires harmonious partnership in and among different branches of government so he needs more commitment, not to petty partisan strife and undue criticisms. We hope this does not refer to Hon. Regalado who is partial to constructive criticisms.
This is my first time to know that Kalibo has a P175 million annual budget. Even if 55 percent is spent for administrative expenses, there is still P78.75 million for economic development and social services. This includes the Internal Revenue Allotment. Hon. Malapad said that LGU Kalibo has a good credit standing with financial institutions hence, his fervent desire to secure more loans to finance the needed infra projects like public market and slaughterhouse.
There must be a debt cap or moratorium to loans like the five (5) percent of total annual budget as a precaution to governmental excesses. More than ever, there is the need to operate on a balanced budget and eschew deficit spending. Some fiscal analyst even goes for line budgeting which is more detailed and proven effective.
Generally, Vice Mayoralty debate was very productive. It provided excellent mental exercise in legislative governance. As expected, the voting population gained additional information to base whom to vote on May 10. /MP
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