For the second time in its history, the Sangguniang Panglunsod held a meeting entirely by video conference, allowing the Vice Mayor and all city councilors to participate while observing social distancing practices amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Vice Mayor Dean Bryan L. Kua presided over the meeting at the regular session on the third floor of SP building, along with Councilors Joey Tamayo and Dennis Canto and other key Sanggunian staff and personnel. The rest of the 13-member body participated in the teleconference from their offices or homes via the Zoom video chat app.
The meeting lasted more than an hour, as the agenda was limited to first reading of three proposed measures, namely –
Draft Ordinance No. O-771, entitled “DECLARING THE OLD DAWASA TANKER (TONDALIGAN) AS AN ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL STRUCTURE IN THE CITY OF DAGUPAN AS PART OF STRENGTHENING AND IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE NATIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE ACT OF 2009” Introduced by Councilor Dennis C. Canto (Public hearing set on September 8, 2:00 pm)
Draft Ordinance No. O-772, entitled, “REQUIRING THE MANDATORY WEARING OF PROPER FACE SHIELDS ON ALL ENCLOSED PUBLIC SPACES, PLACES OF WORK, COMMERCIAL AREAS, AND IN PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES” Introduced by Councilor Dennis C. Canto (Public hearing set on September 3, 10:00 am)
Draft Resolution No. 5959, entitled “AUTHORIZING THE CITY MAYOR, HONORABLE MARC BRIAN C. LIM, TO ENROLL IN THE LANDBANK INSTITUTIONAL INTERNET BANKING ‘weAccess’, AS WELL AS TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (MOA) WITH THE LAND BANK OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ABOVEMENTIONED PROGRAM.” Introduced by Councilor Michael B. Fernandez (Committee hearing set on September 4, 10:00 am)
Vice Mayor Kua said the Sanggunian sessions and hearings, even amidst the coronavirus fears stoking the world, continued uninterrupted since March this year and would have to go on so that the council would not have backlogs.
“We just wanted to get the word out to all Dagupenos that … we’re here, we’re open, you know, the doors are locked, but we’re still working,” Vice Mayor Kua said.
