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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Friday, December 30, 2016
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ILOILO – Municipal councilors in New Lucena refused to grant Mayor Christian Sorongon an authority to join an international coalition.
Sorongon criticized the decision, saying “politics” was behind it. “In effect, the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) deprived the people of New Lucena multimillion [pesos worth of] projects,” said the mayor.
But there appears to be a miscommunication between the chief executive and the local legislators.
The SB members did not approve of New Lucena’s membership to the UNESCO International Coalition of Inclusive and Sustainable Cities, formerly known International Coalition of Cities against Racism.
They denied that “politics” influenced their decision. Sorongon’s assertion that they blocked “P210 million” worth of projects and programs is “unfair,” according to SB member Willie Labaro.
“That was not presented to the Sangguniang Bayan for deliberation,” Labaro told a news conference on Wednesday. “As far as our record is concerned…there is no such P210 million. Ang gin-discuss lang is the possible assistance we can get if we join the coalition.”
During their Dec. 22 session, Labaro, Isabelo Acollador, Rodolfo Sumaray, Isidro Sala, Paquito Sornito, Henry Acuero, and Nestor Sibolinao voted against giving Sorongon authority. Only Teodoro Barela and Rene Asoy — the mayor’s political allies — approved.
New Lucena will have to allocate “human, financial and material resources” to achieve the goals under the coalition’s 10-Point Commitment, Labaro said.
“Records will show nga sa deliberation, waay sang gin-istoryahan nga P210 million,” said Labaro. “Natingala kami nga when we disapproved the authority, gulpi lang may nag-alalabot nga figures.”
Discrimination and xenophobia (fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers) are among the coalition’s thrusts, but there are not many such cases in New Lucena, and the town has existing programs covering them, Sumaray claimed.
Labaro said they are just upholding the “rule of law.”
“We have the Annual Investment Program (AIP) and the annual budget,” he said. “The supposed programs based on the UNESCO coalition were not included in the AIP. How can we implement them?”
But, Acollador said, “kon gin-explain ni mayor nga may sina nga kantidad, siguro waay sing rason nga indi kami mag-approve.”
“Kon mag-meet si mayor sa amon kag i-eksplikar na kanamon ang matuod kang P210 million nga dya, very willing kami maghatag authority sa iya,” he added.
The coalition aims to fight racism and other forms of discrimination, and serves as a platform for cities and towns to strengthen global solidarity and collaboration by sharing good practices, knowledge and expertise.
It currently has more than 500 member-cities worldwide.
If permitted, New Lucena would have become the second Philippine local government to be part of the coalition, Sorongon said.
“Projects for the youth, LGBT, senior citizens, [persons with disabilities], women, and other vulnerable sectors could be provided,” he said. “But with the disapproval, these dreams are gone with the wind.”
Acollador stressed that no one, including the Mondejars — Sorongon’s political rivals — influenced them.
The SB members wish to have a harmonious relationship with Sorongon, said Labaro. “If ever mag-reach out si mayor parte diri, who are we to say no for the good of our community?”/PN
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