Labella: City Hall special bodies to be active

CEBU, Philippines — Most of the special bodies, committees, and councils of the Cebu City government would be activated under the administration of Mayor Edgardo Labella.

Labella said the executive department is now preparing the composition of these local bodies.

“Of course (we will convene.) Practically almost all,” he told reporters.

In 2016, former mayor Tomas Osmeña did not convene some of the 60 special bodies and commissions because of failure to justify their existence. When he assumed office, he announced the possible closure of 90 offices and special bodies because several of these have not submitted minutes of their meetings, no resolutions passed but incurred several expenditures.

This prompted Osmeña then to ask all special bodies and commissions to submit their accomplishment reports, minutes, and resolutions before they are given funding. As a result, at least 20 special bodies and commissions were not convened, including the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council.

Labella explained that at least 57 of these special bodies were created through an ordinance which could not be abolished automatically.

Among the local boards and committees are Coastline Management Board, Cebu City Rivers Management Council, Cebu City Septage Management Board, Cebu City Anti-Mendicancy Board, Cebu City Anti-Indecency Board, Accelerated Social Amelioration Program, Cebu City Anti-Drugs Abuse Council, Cebu City Private Sector Organizational Evaluation and Monitoring Board, Motorized Tricycle Regulatory Board, Liquor Licensing Commission, Committee on Decorum and Investigation of Sexual Harassment Cases, Personnel Selection Board, and Accreditation Committee.

Other special bodies are Cebu Local Economic and Investment Management Board, Cebu City Medical Center Board, Task Force for the Protection and Welfare of Persons with Cancer, PLEB South, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, Police Coordination and Advisory Council, Waterfront Development Commission, Cebu City Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, Local Micro Small Medium Enterprise Development Council, Cebu City Local Price Coordinating Council, and Cebu City Youth Coordinating Council.

The city has 20 special boards, 14 commissions, six committees, 14 councils, and six attached offices. — FPL (FREEMAN)