Cortes urge new Councilors to hold some of their sessions in the barangays

Mandauen City mayor-elect Jonas Cortes (5th from right) want incoming Councilors to hold some of their weekly sessions in the barangays. /Photo from the FB page of Cortes

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Mayor-elect Jonas Cortes want members of the new Mandaue City Council to consider the city’s 27 barangays as an alternative venue for their weekly sessions.

Cortes said that even the members of the legislative department should learn to interact with the people in the barangays.

“I have a simple advise nga ug madala nila ang session sa ka barangayan even ones in a while.  Mas nindot nga makakita ang katawhan nga nag session ang konseho sa mga barangay, sa different barangays.  Malipay sad tingali ang kuan, thats bringing the government closer to the people,” he said.

(I have a simple advise (for Council members) to hold their sessions in the barangays even ones in a while. It would be best for the people to witness the council hold their session in the different barangays. That will surely make them happy if we bring the government closer to the people.)

Vice Mayor-elect Glenn Bercede said that he planned of holding sessions in the barangays when he was first elected vice mayor in 2010, but the plan was never implemented because barangay officials were unprepared to host council members saying that they do not have a space that is big enough for their use.

Cortes said sessions can be done at the barangay gymnasiums if the barangay hall is not big enough.

What is important, Cortes said, is to provide a venue for barangay officials and residents to interact with their city officials.

“Para duna gyoy participation sa katawhan, they can witness sa procedure… Unya ug dunay issues ma address pud dayon nila. Mahibaw-an gyud ug unsay problema sa matag barangay,” he said.

(People can better participate if they are able to witness the procedure.. If there are issues (concerning their barangay) this can be addressed immediately. We will be able to identify the concerns of the barangays.)

Meanwhile, outgoing vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna has expressed gratitude to Mandauehanons who allowed him to serve them in the last three years while he also extended his congratulations to Team Mandaue candidates who won in Monday’s election.

“It has been a good campaign and a wonderful opportunity to serve the City these past years. However, the electorate have spoken and I now accept to pass the baton to our newly elected officials. Congratulations on your election. I wish God’s grace be upon all of you as you serve our City. To all those who kept faith with us since we started our journey for a second term, thank you very much for your support and trust. I shall forever be grateful. Keep the faith and remain hopeful. Let us continue to do what is best for our City and always put Mandaue above all else. Daghang Salamat ka ninyong tanan” Fortuna said in a Facebook post late night on Monday.