SP OK's Mabilog's plan to meet prov'l board
The Sangguniang Panlungsod has granted the request of Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog to have a private breakfast forum with the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to discuss socio-economic concerns between the city and province.
In last Wednesday's regular session, the city council gave Mabilog the signal to meet with the provincial officials provided the issues relative to the implementation of the Perimeter Boundary Ordinance (PBO) should not be tackled.
Prior to the SP's approval, Councilor Perla Zulueta raised doubts on whether the members of the provincial board will show in the breakfast forum. "What if they will not appear, it would be an insult to us," she commented.
She added that there are so many problems between the executive and legislative branch of the Iloilo provincial government.
While, Councilor Erwin Plagata said he hopes the discussion will not include the PBO. He said the breakfast forum should not be an avenue for lobby groups to soften the stand of the city government in the renewed implementation of the ordinance.
Councilor Jose Espinosa III said there is nothing wrong in having talks with the provincial officials since a similar move was made by previous councils. He said there was even a time when talks were made with the officials of Bacolod City.
On his part, Mabilog assured that there are already initial talks between him and the provincial board.
He said they can talk anything under the sun during the breakfast forum. Earlier, Mabilog said the primary purpose of the breakfast forum is to come up with a common legislative agenda that will focus on the socio-economic issues between the city and the province. The development of the city also means development in the province, said Mabilog.
The economic development that will take place in the 54 hectares old Mandurriao airport and the operation of the new Iloilo airport of international standard in Sta. Barbara are among the points of discussions apart from other projected developments here.
The jobs to be generated once the development is made at the old airport will not only benefit the city residents but also those in the province. The operation of the new airport will not only bring forth development to the province but also in the city.
The road network from city and province particularly in going to Sta. Barbara is also placed in the priority projects funded by the national government to ensure better delivery of services and promote economic activities.