Del Mar cited for ‘outstanding’ performance

CEBU, Philippines —  The House of Representatives has commended Cebu City First District Rep. Raul Del Mar for his “outstanding performance” and perfect attendance during the past eight terms.

The House adopted House Resolution 197 on Monday commending the Cebuano legislator, who registered a perfect attendance during the 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th and 17th Congresses.

Resolution No. 197 also commended Del Mar for his exemplary performance as deputy speaker for six years during the 13th and 14th Congresses and as head of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments for six years during the 9th and 10th Congresses, Chairman of the Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy in the 16thCongress, and sub-committee Chairman of the Judiciary committee, Commission on Human Rights and Civil Service Commission as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations this 17th Congress.

Del Mar was also commended for principally authoring 71 laws —seven laws this 17th Congress and 64 laws —during the previous Congresses.

These laws he authored addressed a wide range of national and local concerns– from poverty to undernourished children, tertiary education, tourism, renewable energy, violence against women and children, dangerous drugs, overseas Filipino workers voting and to the creation of the Cebu Port Authority and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority, said a press statement released by Del Mar’s office yesterday.

These are Republic Act 11291 or The Magna Carta of the Poor; RA 11037 or The National Feeding Program for Undernourished Children in Public Day Care, Kindergarten & Elementary Schools; RA 10931 or The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act; and RA 9593 or The Tourism Act of 2009.

He also authored RA 9513 or The Renewable Energy Act of 2008; RA 9262 or The Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004; RA 9189 or The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003; RA 9165 or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002; RA 9160 or The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001; RA 7621 or The Creating the Cebu Port Authority; and RA 6958 or The Creating the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority.

Resolution 197 was presented to Del Mar by House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the "Pagpupugay sa mga Kinatawan ng Ika-Labimpitong Kongreso,” which was held after the sine die adjournment of the 17th Congress Tuesday night.

Del Mar, in an interview with The FREEMAN, said he felt elated by the recognition.

"I am so happy of these recognitions. This is an enviable achievements. I hope that in the next three years, I can still be able to maintain my performance and my attendance," he said.

"By having a perfect attendance during the eight Congresses, only shows that I am working. Lisud sad nang ma perfect attendance kay ako ra among the congressmen ang naka-achieve ana," said Del Mar.

Del Mar, reelected in the May 13 midterm elections, will also serve the 18th Congress.

He started his political stint as north district representative in 1987 until 1998. He was reelected to the position in 2001, 2004, 2007, and 2013. — KBQ (FREEMAN)