LOOK. The League of Cities of the Philippines successfully concluded its first hybrid National Executive Board (NEB) Meeting yesterday, 25 November 2021, at the Mindanao Ballroom of Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Pasay City. LCP organized the meeting to discuss important issues surrounding the safe and sustainable opening of local economies. Invited resource speakers include DepEd Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma and FDA Director-General Eric Domingo. They provided updates on the safe opening of schools and the status of administering booster shots.
On the other hand, the Anti-Red Tape Authority Director-General Jeremiah Belgica explained the rationale behind the issuance of Joint Memorandum Circulars that call for the moratorium on the imposition of pass-thru fees. The former Speaker of the House and 1st District of Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano also delivered his keynote message via Zoom. In his message, Cong. Cayetano encouraged cities to deliver better services given the impending implementation of the Mandanas-Garcia Ruling in 2022.
The session was opened by the newly-minted National Chairman and General Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera. Mayor Rivera succeeded Cebu City Mayor Edgardo C. Labella, who succumbed to pneumonia. LCP Focal Mayor for International Cooperation Mayor Emi Calixto Rubiano formally welcomed the participants to Pasay City. In his report, LCP National President and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia highlighted the active participation of the League in various discussions and fora championing the welfare of cities. Specifically, he reported on the successful lobbying undertaken by the League, which led to the inclusion of 17 cities as beneficiaries of the Growth Equity Fund.
Several resolutions were adopted during the meeting to continue the efficient operations of the League, such as the adoption of the 2022 operational budget, reactivation of dormant accounts, and filing out of vacant positions in the Board, strong opposition on bills exempting capital towns from the requirements of cityhood, and support to the senatorial bid of Cong. Alan Cayetano and former members of the League such as senatorial aspirant and former LCP President Herbert Bautista, re-electionist Senator Win Gatchalian. The Board also passed a resolution supporting the candidacy of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as Vice-President.
The LCP Secretary-General and Calapan City Mayor Arnan C. Panaligan was also elected the new National Vice-Chair. Mayor Panaligan also presided the meeting with assistance from LCP Executive Director Veronica Hitosis.