• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Councilor Al Victor Espino retained his post as floor leader of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) of Bacolod in the 12th Council, while 33 standing committees were formed with the respective chairpersons named in their first regular session July 2.
Espino, also the floor leader in the 11th Council of the SP for 2022 to 2025, is in charge of preparing the SP agenda and submitting matters for inclusion in the session; and shall refer any item in the agenda to the appropriate committee, among others.
He likewise retained chairmanship of the committees on Education, and on Laws, Ordinances and Good Governance, and will now lead the Committee on Urban Planning, Development and Basic Facilities.
Councilor Caesar Distrito, the number one councilor in the midterm elections, will head four SP committees – Ways and Means, Government Assets, Human Resource and Development, and PWD Affairs.
Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson retained the chairmanship of the committees on Appropriation and Finance, Agriculture and Fisheries, and on Cooperatives and Livelihood Programs.
Councilor Celia Matea Flor also retained chairmanship of the committees on Markets, on Women, Gender and Family and Childcare, and on Senior Citizens.
Councilor Psyche Marie Sy is still the chairperson of the reformatted committees on Public Works and General Services, on Police, Security and Jail, and on Fire and Disaster Management.
Councilor Em Ang is now the chairperson of the committees on Health and Sanitation, and on Culture and Arts; while Councilor Roberto Rojas will lead the committees on Energy and Public Utilities, and on Trade, Commerce and Industry.
Councilor Israel Salanga is now the head of the committees on Labor, Management Relations and Overseas Workers, and on Social Services and Development; while Councilor Jason Isidro Villarosa retained the chairmanship of the committees on Tourism & Local, National & International Cooperation, and on Information and Communication Technology.
Councilor Dindo Ramos will lead the committees on Transportation and Traffic, and on Urban Poor, Housing and Resettlement; while Councilor Homer Bais is now the chairperson of the committees on Environment and Ecology, and on Slaughterhouse/Veterinary Services.
Councilor Wilson Gamboa, meanwhile, will head the committees on Human Rights and on Veterans and History.
Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus “Kalaw” Puentevella will head the Committee on Legislative/Executive Conference Liaison, while SP ex-officio members, councilors Lady Gles Gonzales Pallen and Danna Marie Barzo are still the chairpersons of the Committee on Barangay Affairs, and the Committee on Youth, SK Affairs, and Sports Development, respectively, being the presidents of the Association of Barangay Captains and of the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of the highly-urbanized city.
The co-chairperson and members of each SP committee will be designated by the respective chairperson, as per SP rules. | CGC
