Updated: Dec 2, 2024
Councilor Roger Abaday extended the much-needed assistance to the victims of a recent fire incident which razed at least 17 houses in Barangay Patag.
Abaday distributed blankets, underwear, and toiletries.
“Our help, no matter how small, will make a big difference,” Abaday said on his Facebook post.
He also called on others to help by giving relief to the affected families who are taking shelter at the barangay gymnasium.
A fire broke out in Patag last Sunday, November 24, 2024 around 1:00 in the afternoon allegedly due to faulty wiring, damaging structures worth around P6 Million.
VICE Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, having been in the frontline of public health care service herself, lobbied again to the health committee of Councilor Maria Lourdes Gaane the ordinances she principally authored which seek to provide free annual comprehensive check-ups to residents and institutionalize new born screening and barangay mental well-being corners in the city.
During the sixth deliberation of the proposed barangay mental well-being corners ordinance, VM Bebot clarified that the proposed minimum honorarium of ₱1,000 for assigned personnel would depend on the barangay's budget allocation.
Councilor Gaane pointed out that while a similar program exists, personnel are discouraged from participating due to the lack of financial incentives.
VM Bebot also committed to allocating funds from her office for the necessary training and seminars for personnel assigned to the mental health desks in response to Councilor Malvern Esparcia’s remarks about ensuring the qualifications of the designated staff.
Meanwhile, VM Bebot emphasized the need to secure the budget and streamline processes for health centers to implement the newborn screening (NBS) program effectively.
City Health Officer Dr. Rachel Dilla expressed support for the initiative but raised concerns about funding, particularly for the procurement of newborn screening kits.
In response, VM Bebot urged the City Budget and Finance Offices to increase the budget for the City Health Office to prioritize NBS, stressing the time-sensitive nature of the procedure.
Deliberations on this ordinance will continue as the committee continues to gather comments and recommendations from other concerned departments and stakeholders.
THE 20th City Council, during its regular session on Tuesday, presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, approved an ordinance authorizing City Mayor Rolando A. Uy to sign a contract of lease with Robinsons Land Corporation.
The lease covers a 276.13-square-meter office space at Level 2-02005 B, Robinsons Place Cagayan de Oro, Limketkai Center, to serve as the 2nd District Office of the City Commission on Elections (COMELEC) from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026.
In his letter to the City Council, Mayor Uy explained that the current City COMELEC office at Cruz Taal-Burgos Streets will no longer be viable after its lease expires on December 31, 2024.
The facility is hampered by structural deficiencies, such as roof damage, plumbing issues, and fire hazards, which compromise operational efficiency, Mayor Uy added.
The new office at Robinsons Place offers a cost-effective and strategically advantageous location, providing proximity to major thoroughfares for better public access.
Mayor Uy emphasized that this relocation aligns with COMELEC's mandate to deliver efficient public service and prepare for the upcoming May 12, 2025, elections.
The ordinance, certified as urgent by Mayor Uy, was sponsored by the City Council’s Committee on Laws and Rules, chaired by Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas and approved by the members of the City Council.