Terminal leave pay, unpaid claim benefits to city hall employees okayed

SEVERAL employees from the different city hall offices may now claim their respective benefits from the city government.

This, after the 20th City Council, during its regular session presided over by City Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, approved separate ordinances appropriating amounts from the 2024 annual budget for the payment of terminal leave pay, unpaid claim for salaries and wages, and other benefits to several employees assigned to the City Public Services Office, City Hospital-Tablon, J.R. Borja General Hospital (Annex), and City Engineer’s Office.

The ordinances were sponsored by the Committees on Finance, Budget and Appropriations and Laws and Rules respectively chaired by Councilors Yan Lam Lim and Edgar S. Cabanlas. (JBDacer/SP)

Achas bucks construction of Petro de Oro marine facility;pushes for prioritization of Oro fisheries code

Minority Floor Leader Councilor Christian Rustico Achas expressed opposition to the proposed resolution, interposing no objection to the application of Petro de Oro Corporation for miscellaneous lease agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 10 to construct its marine facility in Barangay Tablon.

The proposed facility is part of Petro de Oro’s petroleum terminal project whose foreshore lease application was put on hold due to a land reclamation project. The Committee on Subdivision and Landed Estate, however, approved its application to allow the continuous operation of the company.

Councilor Achas expressed alarm amid worries that it may result in economic catastrophe, citing that the prime source of food and livelihood of the fishermen greatly rely on the sea.

“There are more than 3,500 ka mga members aning atong fisherfolks and 80-90% I think, or even almost 100%, dependent sa dagat,” he said.

He added that giving priority to investors may deprive the fishermen of economic activities.

He called on the city's legislature during their regular session, presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, to hear the clamor of the affected sector by giving priority to the Cagayan de Oro Fisheries Code.

With the approval of the fisheries code, the fisherfolks will be given support by the local government for its programs and projects, while protecting their rights and general welfare, he concluded. (FDCalotes/SP)

Games cmte studies draft peryahan ordinance

THE Committee and Games and Amusement, chaired by Council Roger Abaday, is now reviewing the proposed ordinance establishing rules and guidelines in securing permit to operate peryahan, carnivals, and similar events.

The said ordinance was endorsed by the Regulatory Compliance Board (RCB), chaired by Atty. Jose Edgardo Y. Uy, in an effort to implement legal and regulatory measures covering amusement places, so as to maintain peace and order, promote public health standards, and prevent and address violations in perya operations. 

In the discussion, production managers and carnival financers aired their concerns regarding certain restrictions, allowing them to operate only until 12:00 midnight during duly declared fiesta or Barangay Day celebrations.

“Mag-suggest lang unta mi nga maapil unta ang sitio nga fiesta kay gansi jud mi. Ang barangay nga fiesta, kas-a ra sa isa ka tuig, dayun among mga gamit mag-pondo ra. Unta ma-extend pud mi taman alas 3 sa kadlawon,” a financer said.

Chairman Uy, however, pointed out that the request to extend operation hours might be a problem due to the observed loose compliance during inspection. The monitoring team will also have to stay late at night to check whether the guidelines are religiously complied, he lamented.

He advised the operators to put up barricades that will separate activities for children and games for adults, so that the proliferation of gambling may be averted.

In response, Councilor Abaday stated, “Ato na i-consider inyong suggestions sa pag-operate sa zonal o’ purok fiestas og Christmas, pag-extend until 3:00 am sa inyong operasyon. I-usa lang na inyong comments kay i-reindorse ni nato sa city legal. Pero again, ato pa nang balansehon.”

The legislation was referred to the City Legal Office for further deliberation and review.