THE 21ST City Council took their oath of office on Tuesday, July 1, during the council’s maiden session.
Rodrigo “Rigo” Duterte II presided over the maiden session, serving as acting vice mayor in the absence of vice mayor-elect Sebastian Duterte.
Some comebacking councilors who were able to get their chairmanship back from the 19th city council were Ralph Abella, for committee on Agriculture, Aquaculture And Food; Danilo Dayanghirang for Finance, Ways And Means, And Appropriation, and Games and Amusements; Pamela Librado for Labor and Employment Opportunities, who is also the chair for Civil, Political And Human Rights, and Myrna Dalodo Ortiz for Tourism And Beautification.
Reelected councilors who retained their chairmanship include Temujin Ocampo for Environment And Natural Resources, and Special Publications; Luna Acosta for Peace And Public Safety; Alberto Ungab for Appointments And Government Reorganization; Louie John Bonguyan for Energy and Water and Housing And Subdivision Development Under Bp 220 (Economic Housing); and Ortiz for Trade, Commerce And Industry.
Comebacking councilor Acosta chairs Anti-Terrorism; J. Melchor Quitain Jr. chairs City-Owned Real Properties; Al Ryan Alejandre for Cooperative Development and People’s Participation; and Ungab for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
Moreover, Arnolfo Cabling will chair Ethics and Good Government committee; Rachelle Zozobrado for International Relations; Jessica Bonguyan for Public Works and Highways; Richlyn Baguilod for Women, Children and Family Relations; Trisha Ann Villafuerte will chair the Health committee; Diosdado Mahipus Jr. for Housing, Rural and Urban Development (Socialized Housing Projects).
Neophyte councilors Doce Apostol will chair Franchises and Public Utilities; Rigo Duterte for Future Generation and the Housing and Subdivision Development Under PD 957; Jopet Baluran for Transportation and Communication, and Ragde Ibuyan for Government Enterprises and Privatization.
Meanwhile, for sectoral representatives committee chairmanship: Kristine Mercado will chair Youth and Sports Development; Demetrio Bolo for Indigenous People, Cultural Communities and Muslim Affairs; and January Duterte will chair the committee on barangay affairs.
The Oversight Committee will be chaired by Mahipus and co-chaired by Advincula.
The People’s Law Enforcement Board will consist of Acosta for the first district, Cabling for the second district, and Zozobrado for the third district
Advincula was elected the majority floor leader, with Mahipus as assistant floor leader and Quitain as the president pro tempore.
Acosta passed a resolution to change the schedule of the regular session from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., which was concurred by the majority.
