LGA Executive Director Marivel C. Sacendoncillo explains the importance of the DILG initiated Consultation Dialogue with the League of 16.City of Borongan. – The DILG conducted consultation dialogues with functionaries of the cities of Borongan, Baybay and Catbalogan for the purpose of identifying possible courses of action in case the Supreme Court decides with finality on the unconstitutionality of their cityhood laws last January 20, 2009 at the DILG regional Office at Kanhuraw Hill, Tacloban City.
Director Marivel C. Sacendoncillo of the Local Government Academy of the Philippines (DAP) facilitated the discussions together with DILG Regional Director William C. Paler.
They started the dialogue by saying that it was intended to prepare the cities under protest for the worst. Hence the consultation was made to discuss about the possible effects of the reversion to municipality, the capability of the LGUs to face the problems of reversion in terms of financial stability, and the related issues that have to be provided with solutions by the national government in case the LGUs could not meet them.
Director Sacendoncillo assured the functionaries that it was the president herself who ordered the conduct of the consultation dialogues with the League of 16 in order to meet the possible repercussions of a denial of the Supreme Court of the motion for reconsideration filed by the affected LGUs. Hence in a worst case scenario the national government will surely find ways to fill in the possible gaps in the financial needs of the LGUs but then it can only provide solutions if it has the necessary information on how it can help each of the 16 LGUs since every LGU will have a unique need from another, she clarified.
Some of the issues that came up during the dialogue were the possible effects on the organizational structures of the LGUs including the likely displacement or dismissal of appointed employees, the changes in salaries, other benefits and contributions; the lack of funding for social services and other operating expenses necessary for the delivery of basic services; the fulfillment of obligations for perfected loans and other contracts and other statutory obligations; and the suspension of developmental projects, programs and activities that are necessary to ensure the advancement of the quality of life of the constituents of the League of 16 and the neighboring LGUs.
Also taken into consideration were issues about the City Schools Divisions established by the Department of Education and the newly appointed officials and employees of these offices; the status of the municipal trial courts in cities and the status of city prosecutors and city judges appointed by the Supreme Court; the support extended by the LGUs to other attached agencies such as the DILG family which includes the PNP, LGUs’ partner in fighting crime and maintaining peace and order; the BFP which coordinates with the LGUs in securing lives and property against fire and other calamities; among others.
It was also inquired whether the DILG could help the case of the League of 16 and Director Sacendoncillo was quick to acknowledge that it was not possible because the Supreme Court is an independent government body from the Executive Department.
Director Sacendoncillo told the functionaries that the issues identified will be tackled during the national workshop to be held in Manila which will be scheduled probably in the last week of January or the first week of February. During the workshop heads and representatives of various national government agencies that can help the LGUs in facing the problems of reversion to municipality will be present such as the Civil Service Commission, government financial institutions, and others, she said.
The consultation dialogue at DILG Regional Office was the first step in the effort to come up with solutions to anticipated financial problems in case the Supreme Court decides in favor with the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP). The next step will be the workshop in Manila with heads and representatives of national government agencies.
The activity was an offshoot of the recent meeting of the mayors of the League of 16 with Her Excellency Madame President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacanang last January 8, 2009 together with other officials including DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
The League of 16 is composed of the 16 LGUs whose cityhood laws have been questioned by the LCP and whose fate hangs in a balance as the Supreme Court has initially declared the laws as unconstitutional.
All of the three new cities under protest in Region VIII were represented during the dialogue though initially the LGUs were apprehensive about attending the consultation dialogue because some officials thought that it might be a strategy to condition them to accept defeat especially that the communication letters sent by the DILG central office identified the LGUs as municipalities already.
However, it was clarified during the discussion that the consultation dialogue was only intended to prepare the LGUs in anticipation for the worst, that is, if the Supreme Court stands on its initial decision, and that it was not in any manner an acceptance of the LGUs that they are already reverted back to the status of municipalities and that the DILG is praying with the League of 16 for the success of their motion for reconsideration.
The respective mayors were not able to attend the dialogue because they have to attend an urgent meeting in Manila with other mayors of the League of 16 and their lawyers.
The City of Borongan was represented in the consultation dialogue by Human Resource Management Officer Reynaldo R. Cillo, City Budget Officer Mrs. Lida M. Pagulayan, City Planning and Development Coordinator Mieda O. Baris, Local Government Operations Officer Nida B. Dela Cruz and Secretary to the Mayor Alberto C. Acampado.
Director Marivel C. Sacendoncillo of the Local Government Academy of the Philippines (DAP) facilitated the discussions together with DILG Regional Director William C. Paler.
They started the dialogue by saying that it was intended to prepare the cities under protest for the worst. Hence the consultation was made to discuss about the possible effects of the reversion to municipality, the capability of the LGUs to face the problems of reversion in terms of financial stability, and the related issues that have to be provided with solutions by the national government in case the LGUs could not meet them.
Director Sacendoncillo assured the functionaries that it was the president herself who ordered the conduct of the consultation dialogues with the League of 16 in order to meet the possible repercussions of a denial of the Supreme Court of the motion for reconsideration filed by the affected LGUs. Hence in a worst case scenario the national government will surely find ways to fill in the possible gaps in the financial needs of the LGUs but then it can only provide solutions if it has the necessary information on how it can help each of the 16 LGUs since every LGU will have a unique need from another, she clarified.
Some of the issues that came up during the dialogue were the possible effects on the organizational structures of the LGUs including the likely displacement or dismissal of appointed employees, the changes in salaries, other benefits and contributions; the lack of funding for social services and other operating expenses necessary for the delivery of basic services; the fulfillment of obligations for perfected loans and other contracts and other statutory obligations; and the suspension of developmental projects, programs and activities that are necessary to ensure the advancement of the quality of life of the constituents of the League of 16 and the neighboring LGUs.
Also taken into consideration were issues about the City Schools Divisions established by the Department of Education and the newly appointed officials and employees of these offices; the status of the municipal trial courts in cities and the status of city prosecutors and city judges appointed by the Supreme Court; the support extended by the LGUs to other attached agencies such as the DILG family which includes the PNP, LGUs’ partner in fighting crime and maintaining peace and order; the BFP which coordinates with the LGUs in securing lives and property against fire and other calamities; among others.
It was also inquired whether the DILG could help the case of the League of 16 and Director Sacendoncillo was quick to acknowledge that it was not possible because the Supreme Court is an independent government body from the Executive Department.
Director Sacendoncillo told the functionaries that the issues identified will be tackled during the national workshop to be held in Manila which will be scheduled probably in the last week of January or the first week of February. During the workshop heads and representatives of various national government agencies that can help the LGUs in facing the problems of reversion to municipality will be present such as the Civil Service Commission, government financial institutions, and others, she said.
The consultation dialogue at DILG Regional Office was the first step in the effort to come up with solutions to anticipated financial problems in case the Supreme Court decides in favor with the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP). The next step will be the workshop in Manila with heads and representatives of national government agencies.
The activity was an offshoot of the recent meeting of the mayors of the League of 16 with Her Excellency Madame President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at Malacanang last January 8, 2009 together with other officials including DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno.
The League of 16 is composed of the 16 LGUs whose cityhood laws have been questioned by the LCP and whose fate hangs in a balance as the Supreme Court has initially declared the laws as unconstitutional.
All of the three new cities under protest in Region VIII were represented during the dialogue though initially the LGUs were apprehensive about attending the consultation dialogue because some officials thought that it might be a strategy to condition them to accept defeat especially that the communication letters sent by the DILG central office identified the LGUs as municipalities already.
However, it was clarified during the discussion that the consultation dialogue was only intended to prepare the LGUs in anticipation for the worst, that is, if the Supreme Court stands on its initial decision, and that it was not in any manner an acceptance of the LGUs that they are already reverted back to the status of municipalities and that the DILG is praying with the League of 16 for the success of their motion for reconsideration.
The respective mayors were not able to attend the dialogue because they have to attend an urgent meeting in Manila with other mayors of the League of 16 and their lawyers.
The City of Borongan was represented in the consultation dialogue by Human Resource Management Officer Reynaldo R. Cillo, City Budget Officer Mrs. Lida M. Pagulayan, City Planning and Development Coordinator Mieda O. Baris, Local Government Operations Officer Nida B. Dela Cruz and Secretary to the Mayor Alberto C. Acampado.
The same consultation dialogue will be conducted with the other LGUs belonging to the League of 16. (LANCE)
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