Measures to protect Cebu’s natural resources and to ensure transparency in future land deals were among the notable ordinances passed by the 13th Provincial Board (PB).
A total of 22 ordinances were passed during the year. Thirteen were approved in the first half of 2014.
Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who was PB member from 1992 to 1998 and from 2004 to 2010, said the current set of provincial legislators are the “most hardworking”.
The board lobbied for the protection of sharks by requesting hotels and other food establishments in the province to stop serving shark’s fin soup or shark meat, a Chinese delicacy. At least two hotels, the Waterfront Lahug in Cebu City and Imperial Palace in Lapu-Lapu City announced soon after that they would no longer serve shark in their menus.
The PB also approved an ordinance setting the load limit on trucks and hauling of coal plying provincial roads. They also declared June 9 as “Coral Triangle Day” to raise people’s awareness on the conservation of aquatic resources. Both were authored by Board Member Thadeo Ouano who heads the environment committee.
Shark’s fin soup
Ouano also introduced an amendment to the Provincial Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Ordinance to include the protection of hammerhead sharks, although this still needs to undergo third and final reading. He also authored the “Our Sustainable Cebu Program” and the “Green and Disaster Resilient Building Program.”
The PB also passed an ordinance setting procedures and guidelines for the acquisition or procurement of real properties bought by the provincial government.
The PB created a commission for senior citizens in the province and established the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission, both initiatives of PB Member Raul Alcoseba.
Records from the Provincial Secretary’s Office showed that PB Member Arleigh Sitoy filed the most number of proposed resolutions at 183. Sitoy also filed two proposed ordinances and supported three others.
PB Member Peter John Calderon follows, with 131 resolutions.
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