Outgoing councilors bid farewell: Our council was most prolific - Labella

CEBU, Philippines - Re-elected Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella has commended the city's 13th Sangguniang Panlungsod for being the "most prolific."

"Tungod kay kining 13th Sanggunian, I think we had enacted the investment code, environment code, ug uban pa," Labella said in his speech during the council's last regular session yesterday.

He said there were times that the council members argued among themselves due to different opinions when tackling an agenda, but these were not taken personally.

"Aduna ma'y higayon nga nagkalalis ug nagkainitay ang mga miyembro apan wala kini maabot sa personal nga kinabuhi tungod kay trabaho lamang kini," he said.

Labella is currently serving his suspension order and is being replaced by Councilor Lea Japson as the acting city vice mayor.  Last June 8, the City Council approved a resolution proposed by Councilor James Anthony Cuenco giving tribute to outgoing officials and last termer officials of the city.

Councilor Margarita Osmeña, who currently serves as the acting mayor of the city, shared the same sentiment with Labella.

"We may not always agree but in disagreement we learned. Hopefully, we enrich our experiences as public servants," said Osmeña, who also delivered a speech before the council yesterday.

For Councilor Alvin Dizon, it was a big opportunity for him to become a public servant.

During his term as councilor, Dizon said the city was confronted with a lot of issues, which will now serve as a challenge to the members of the incoming 14th Sangguniang Panlungsod and to mayor-elect Tomas Osmeña.

"There are big works ahead that need to be done to make Cebu City number one again," Dizon said in his speech.

Others who delivered their speech as they bade farewell were outgoing councilors Noel Wenceslao and Ma. Nida Cabrera, and last termers Counci-lors Roberto Cabarrubias, Richard Osmeña, and Japson.

Suspended Councilors Nendell Hanz Abella and Dave Tumulak, who are both re-elected, also attended the last session. (FREEMAN)