Mosqueda resigns as chair of Northern Iloilo Alliance for Coastal Dev't
Estancia Mayor Restituto Mosqueda tendered his irrevocable resignation as chairperson of the Malacañang-backed Northern Iloilo Alliance for Coastal Development (NIACDEV).
Citing three reasons as trigger factors, Mosqueda's decision came as a major aftershock on the now controversial fishery policy of Carles, Iloilo. Primary issue here is the prohibition set on Carles fishers to continue trading at Estancia. As alliance chair, Mosqueda considered the move of Carles as a direct affront to his leadership particularly since no prior discussion nor notification was made on member town mayors.
In a one page resignation letter, Mayor Mosqueda wrote how he "notes with deep concern that such initiative was not consulted nor coordinated." Such, he stressed, "not only as the Mayor of Estancia, the affected port and immediate neighbor of Carles but as well as the Chairman of the Northern Iloilo Alliance for Coastal Development (NIACDEV) where both of the involved municipalities are members."
The resignation letter was addressed to alliance Assistant Secretary (ASec) Raul Banias, Presidential Assistant for Panay and Guimaras. ASec Banias is NIACDEV's vice-chairperson.
"The utter disrespect and disregard to established protocol eroded whatever respect the undersigned commands from the other members of this Alliances," Mayor Mosqueda wrote while adding that his resignation is "not motivated by any malice, ill-will or spite as a firm resolve to promote cooperation and harmony between and among the members of the Alliance."
Copies were simultaneously sent to all other northern Iloilo town mayors including Carles Mayor Arnold Betita. ASec Banias confirmed receipt of the resignation letter yesterday.
In a phone interview, Banias told The News Today (TNT) that an emergency meeting will be called to address Mosqueda's resignation.
"I accepted his letter but I told him that it does not mean I am accepting his resignation. I hope we will be able to thresh out whatever issues and concerns involved here," ASec Banias said.
Asked whether he had prior knowledge of the problems hounding the two towns courtesy of Carles fishery policy, ASec Banias replied "no. I was not aware of anything until I read it in the news and the resignation letter came."
"Mayor Mosqueda did not take it in a very good light but I hope that personal relations will not be affected because of this," ASec Banias ended.
Two other reasons laid down by Mosqueda was that with his resignation comes the opportunity for other "aspiring members to occupy and serve the chairmanship of the two posts." And finally, he said, he will now give his "undivided attention to exploit the great potentials of Estancia for unrivaled progress and developments."
The NIACDEV is further composed of Fifth District Board Member Jett Rojas as treasurer with members, Ajuy Mayor Juan Alvarez, Balasan Mayor Felimon Ganzon, Batad Mayor Elvira Alarcon, Concepcion Mayor Elizabeth Salcedo, Lemery Mayor Mildred Chavez, San Dionisio Mayor Pio Villanueva and Sara Mayor Ermilita Salcedo.