CITY OF SAN FERNANDO–Re-elected Gov. Lilia Pineda urged the new sets of provincial and local sanggunians to fill in committees with members who can function efficiently.
Pineda said the Sangguniang Bayan in the 21 municipalities and the provincial board should choose the committee chairmen based on their areas of expertise in order to make their committees functional and proactive.
This, she said, would ensure that the committees could produce tangible and viable results attuned to the needs of the people.
It was learned that there will be changes in the composition of most of the Sangguniang Bayan and Panlungsod as well as the Sangguniang Panlalawigan drawing the possibility of changes in the committee chairmanships.
Pineda said she will raise this concern in a meeting with all elected local officials in the province that would be set before their oath-taking on June 30.
“Committee chairmanship plays a pivotal role in the success of the programs of the government. The legislator who will handle the committee should possess genuine desire and show enthusiasm and expertise. For instance, an engineer-councilor should be the chair for the committee on public works, a teacher for education and so on,” the governor explained.
Gov. Pineda emphasized the importance of public service and tangible accomplishments for elected officials.
She said, “As legislators, their work is not limited in the session hall. They need to see the actual condition of the people down to the grassroots level to enact appropriate legislation needed by the communities,” Pineda said.
She added that it is unlikely and improper for elected public officials to be present only during sessions or when there is a release of their allowances and salaries.
“Public service is not a source of income. It’s a public trust. Once you become an elected public servant, you have to do your work and share not only your time but even resources if so needed,” she stressed.
By JENNA LUMBANG
