‘Six PB ordinances still pending’

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Secretary to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (OSSP) is currently conducting an inventory of the Provincial Board’s approved and pending measures weeks before the assumption of new PB members.

Lawyer Pulchra Marie Acevedo, SP secretary, said the inventory of approved and pending resolutions, ordinances and committee reports is to ensure a smooth transition from the 14th Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), which is headed by outgoing Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, to the new set of leaders, who will assume office noontime of June 30.

Acevedo said the 14th SP has so far passed 50 regulating and appropriation ordinance, over 4,000 resolutions, and about 3,000 committee reports from 2016 to present.

She said there are also six pending ordinances. These are the Larsian parking fee, water code of the province, and meat inspection, among others.

She said the pending ordinances may be refiled or sponsored by the new members.

She explained that these have to be refiled because the incoming provincial body will compose of new members, and not the same members who earlier approved them during the initial proceedings.

The 14th SP will hold its last regular session on June 24.

Acevedo said the full accomplishment report of the 14th SP will be presented on June 24.

On the same day, she said, the recognition rites of the outgoing board members and the ceremonial turnover will also be conducted.

The members of the 15th SP headed by Vice Governor-elect Hilario Davide III are set to meet prior to assumption to review the existing house rules or the internal rules of procedures that will govern the PB proceedings.

Acevedo said the meeting is set today, June 10.

“The members will discuss whether or not to adopt the existing rules or amend them. They can also come up with new rules or add some,” she said.

One of the salient house rules to be agreed on is the selection of the chairmanship of the board's committees.

Acevedo said the board may adopt the selection through appointment or change it through election.

The incoming 15th SP, which is dominated by allies of Governor-elect Gwendolyn Garcia, is set to have its inaugural session on July 1.

The agreed house rules will be adopted on the first session. (FREEMAN)