CCENRO: Escalate erring baragay officials to council

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) has requested that all mediation proceedings at the Committee on Barangay Affairs be submitted directly to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).

Lawyer John Jigo Dacua, CCENRO officer-in-charge, has sent a letter to Cebu City Councilor Raymond Garcia, the City Council’s majority floor leader, requesting that all the processes, grievances, mediation relating to government officials with infractions will no longer be submitted to the Barangay Affairs Office (BAO).

“I think these matters should be taken up directly to (the) Sangguniang Panlungsod, dili sa BAO,” said Dacua.

When issues arise regarding environmental laws being violated, which are mostly about garbage and septage in some areas, it is reported directly to BOA.

“Mediation man gyud na.  It’s not for me to mediate because, personally, I have no business to mediate sa mga ing-ana na situations.  Maong it would be better for it to be taken by the council,” said Dacua.

Dacua said that during the Guadalupe river clean up drive, they were able to apprehend some barangay officials when they did an inspection on proper septage on the houses living near the river.

He added that issues concerning the ongoing problems on septage are being handled by the technical team.

The BAO is responsible to provide technical assistance to the mayor, and to serve as the city’s coordinating body, since it has supervisory function over the barangays.  GAN (FREEMAN)