THE City Council committee on education, chaired by Councilor Moreno Y. Daba IV, is set to deliberate the request of City Mayor Rolando A. Uy for the enactment of a legislative measure removing the parenthetical title of the two vacant positions of Administrative Officer II (Budget Officer I) in the City College of Cagayan de Oro.
In his letter, Mayor Uy explained that the City College has expressed its intent to remove the parenthetical nomenclature to make the hiring process more flexible and attractive to a broader pool of applicants under the generic position title of Administrative Officer II.
He stressed that since the positions remain vacant, the proposal complies with Section 325 (f) of Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991, which outlines the general limitations on the use of provincial, city, and municipal funds. (JAO/SP)
The committee on women and family relations, chaired by Councilor Des Dahino, recently supported the measures to make the Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU) of the J.R. Borja General Hospital (JRBGH) ready, standardized, and fully operational.
The initiative seeks to ensure a more coordinated and efficient response to the
healthcare needs of victim-survivors of cases of violence against women and children.
At present, victim-survivors who go to JRBGH are still referred to the Northern
Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC)–WCPU, as JRBGH’s own unit is not yet operating at
full capacity. This arrangement can delay timely interventions since NMMC also serves
patients from across the region.
Dr. Aileen Labadan of the WCPU emphasized that the request to activate JRBGH’s unit
has been pending for years pointing out that the current ₱500,000 allocation is far below the original ₱6.5 million proposal (later adjusted to more
than ₱7 million).
The full proposal covers not only infrastructure but also additional personnel, cross-training programs, and other resources needed to make the unit functional and compliant with standard protocols.
Representatives from JRBGH and CSWD reiterated the urgent need to have a fully
operational and standardized WCPU given the city’s high number of gender-based
violence cases. They stressed that swift action is critical to provide timely, survivor-
centered services.
Councilor Marlo Tabac moved for the submission of a detailed budget breakdown for
comprehensive review by the committee.
Councilor Paolo Gaane supported the motion, noting that the council can then study the proposal and enact the necessary ordinance to secure adequate funding.
The item was deferred pending submission of the required budget details.
Councilors Imee Moreno, Aga Suan, and George Christopher Goking likewise expressed support for the initiative. (SPE/SP)
COUNCILOR Aga Suan urged the JR Borja General Hospital (JRBGH) to submit a ₱10-million budget proposal for its Children and Women Protection Unit (CWPU), saying the city must finally provide adequate resources for victims of violence and abuse.
Suan, at the recent meeting of the committee on women and family relations, said the hospital should “shoot for ₱10 million” instead of settling for the underfunded budget of the past years.
“Since you were only given ₱500,000 from the proposed ₱6.5 million budget, I suggest we go higher. I propose that the department submit a budget proposal of ₱10 million,” Suan suggested, noting that the figure would still be subject to deliberation and possible reduction by the Local Finance Committee (LFC), but aiming higher increases the chances of securing at least the intended allocation.
Paolo Dablio, representing the Local Finance Committee, however clarified that the ₱500,000 budget of the WCPU was requested by JRBGH, which the finance body approved.
Since the 2026 budget had already been finalized, the council could enact an ordinance establishing the CWPU with its staffing pattern and funding requirements, which would then be eligible for supplemental budget next year.
With this, Councilor Marlo Tabac moved that the JRBGH submit a formal proposal in two weeks to serve as the basis for drafting the ordinance to be deliberated once more by the committee. (FDC/SP)
