Councilor Jonjon Rodriguez proposed key ordinances to intensify and strengthen guardrails that protect children from trafficking and exploitation.
One of the key measures taken up was Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-004, authored by Rodriguez and titled: “An Ordinance Establishing the Local Code on Children of Cagayan de Oro City, Otherwise Known as the Comprehensive Children’s Welfare Code of Cagayan de Oro City.”
The proposed Local Code on Children (LCC) aims to provide long-term and adaptive legal framework that responds to evolving social conditions while remaining firmly anchored on existing Philippine laws and international conventions protecting children’s rights.
“Children must be advocates of themselves — not extensions of their elders,” Rodriguez said during the meeting.
“They are individuals who must be allowed to achieve their own self and determination, with adults guiding them,” he added.
Rodriguez further stressed that children should not merely be beneficiaries of policies but active participants in governance processes that affect their lives.
“Children must be participants in decision-making processes that will impact them,” he stated.
Also discussed was Proposed Ordinance No. 2025-0052, likewise authored by Rodriguez, titled “An Ordinance for the Creation of a Hotline and Helpdesk for Reporting Instances of Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation in Cagayan de Oro.”
The said measure seeks to localize national anti-human trafficking laws by institutionalizing an anti-human trafficking hotline and helpdesk in every barangay, ensuring accessible and immediate reporting mechanisms for victims and concerned citizens.
“With the passage of these measures, we can truly say that Cagayan de Oro is a child-friendly city.” (JDO/SP)
The City Council committee on ways and means will deliberate on the request of the Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Commerce and Industry Foundation, Inc., and the Misamis Oriental Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (MOFCCCII) for the extension of the 20% real property tax (RPT) discount from December 31, 2025, to March 31, 2026.
The joint request is a collective concern of the city’s business community, including local enterprises, exporters, manufacturers, retailers, service providers, and property lessees, over the financial impact of the impending implementation of Ordinance No. 14900-2024, otherwise known as “An Ordinance Prescribing the Revised Schedule of Fair Market Values of Real Property in Cagayan de Oro, and for Other Purposes.”
Enacted on September 9, 2024, and taking effect on January 1, 2026, the ordinance prescribes a revised schedule of fair market values for real property, with projected assessment increases ranging from 50% to as much as 300%.
While acknowledging the necessity of revaluation to align property assessments with current market values, the chambers emphasized that the timing coincides with a financially demanding period for businesses.
January 2026 marks the renewal of business permits and licenses, alongside rising compliance costs, potential wage adjustments, and expected increases in utility expenses.
The proposed three-month extension of the 20% RPT discount, the chambers noted, would help ease cash-flow pressures during the transition to the revised valuations, reduce the risk of penalties or defaults, and support business continuity.
Such a measure is also seen as vital in preserving jobs, sustaining consumer spending, and maintaining a stable and investment-friendly local business climate. (JAO/SP)
CITY Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas, on Wednesday, recognized the contributions of the private sector through its donation of roads and open spaces to help the city government in its ongoing housing projects.
During the meeting of the City Council committee on subdivision, housing development, and landed estate, Cabanlas thanked the private developers and construction firms that have stepped up to assist the city in its efforts to provide affordable housing for residents.
“The mentality why dili maayo acceptahon, because this will add burden to the city. Wala nato makita ang value, ang importance ani nga proyekto,” Cabanlas said.
The councilor highlighted the growing concerns regarding the city’s housing backlog, and he manifested this in response to the deed of donation executed by Liberty Land Corportaion in favor of the city government covering the designated open spaces of its South Point Subdivision, located in Upper Palalan, Barangay Lumbia.
“Pero ang prinsipyo ani nganong we are forced to accept because of the fact that by the construction of the said subdivision and putting up of these housing units, the private sector could contribute and help the government in solving the housing backlog in the city”, Cabanlas pointed out.
After thorough deliberation, Councilors Aga Suan, Kenneth Sacala, and Yvy Emano favorably endorsed the donation to the committee on laws and rules, chaired by Councilor Cabanlas for appropriate action. (JBD/SP)
