December 4, 2008

Ever since I was an elected and/or appointed youth and student leader, I always believed in giving year end reports to the people I serve which during that time were the students or the youth who put me in office. It is my way of telling my “boss” that he, she or they chose well or that they didn’t make a mistake on giving me their trust and support. This practice of mine was strengthened during my work experiences. Good performance was based on merit. Project and periodic accomplishment reports were needed to be submitted for evaluation.

My yearning to excel is a result of how my parents brought me up. My mom was a disciplinarian. She wanted us to always succeed and go beyond expectations. She never wanted us to settle for second best. My dad was the man with the prizes. He gave us rewards for doing a job well done. Thus, I was trained to reach for excellence and I didn’t want to upset or disappoint my parents. In my schooling years, I considered my parents to be my boss since they were the ones who worked hard to put me in good schools. I also wanted them to be proud of me.

Let us fast forward to my career as a public servant. Until this day, I still am very grateful to the people of Iloilo City who gave me a resounding mandate of 73,000 votes to become the youngest elected City wide official at age 27 and a chance to be of service to them. Despite the political issues thrown against me, Iloilo City has warmly welcomed me. I do not owe my victory to political personalities. I owe my victory to the people of Iloilo City. They are my boss. This is the reason why I continuously consult them, talk to them, and mingle with them because without them, I wouldn’t have made it. This is also the reason why I try to go beyond my work as legislator as I organize special projects for the city residents especially for the women, senior citizens and the youth sectors. I am also thankful to my colleagues in the City Council for making me Chairman of the following three Committees: Communication and Public Information; Domestic and International Affairs; and Committee on Labor and Employment. I am also glad to have been asked to become a member of the Committees on Tourism and of the Committee on Youth and Sports Development. Today, I will give a report on what we have done not only for the year 2008 but also from June 2007 (the start of my elected term) until Dec 2007.

June to Dec 2007:

1. Legislative Measures:

a. 2 Ordinances on first reading: Driver, Passenger and Children Safety Riding Motorcycle Ordinance (Proponent) and the Anti-Internet Pornography Ordinance (Co-Sponsor)

b. 10 Resolutions (first and final reading) on the following topics: Crime Prevention; Preparation of the Comprehensive Drainage Plan of Iloilo City; Conveying sincerest sympathy to the bereaved family of a late barangay captain; entering sister city relationships with Kaoshiung, Taiwan and Mandaue, Cebu and Service Recognition

c. Privilege Speech: “Safety and Security in our own Homes”

2. Special Projects (this is aside from the usual assistance given for Fiestas, Senior Citizen, Women and Youth affairs):

a. Life Exchange Experience (LEX) Day – This is my continuous regular weekend barangay consultation program so as to keep in touch with the people and get to know their issues and concerns

b. Dinagyang Kapamilya Dance Showdown 1 – A talent show competition for dance groups of 8-10 members during the biggest tourism event in the Philippines which is the pride of Iloilo, the Dinagyang Festival. It aims to showcase the talent of the young Ilonggos.

c. Life Expectancy Extension (LEX) District and Barangay Medical Missions – This is focused on women, children and elderly health concerns. It is brought to the 7 Area Districts and the various barangays of Iloilo City

d. Tingog sang Kabataang Ilonggo (Voice of the Youth of Iloilo) LEX Talk – This is our tri-media (TV- SkyCable and CableStar; Radio- Aksyon Radyo and Bombo Radyo; Newspaper-NewsEXpress) program that focuses on youth issues and concerns. It seeks to give a voice to the voiceless and importance to those who seem to be unrecognized. I serve as anchor for the TV and Radio show and a newspaper columnist

YEAR 2008:

1. Legislative Measures:

a. 4 Ordinances passed on first reading and 2 Ordinance passed on final reading:

1^st Reading: Comprehensive Children and Youth Welfare Code of Iloilo City (co-Author);Guidelines in the distribution of Tip Pools (proponent); Reduction of Amusement Tax on Concerts (proponent); Creation of a Legislative Tracking Committee (proponent);

Final Reading: Driver, Passenger and Children Safety Riding Motorcycle (proponent); Anti-Pornography circulation, distribution, sale and exhibition (co-sponsor)

b. 33 Resolutions passed on first and final reading on the following topics: Telephone installation for barangay halls; declaring Women’s Month in Iloilo City; forging a sister city relationship with Quezon City; Giving authority to the Mayor to accept and sign DOLE Pro-Poor programs, DOLE Adjustment Measures and Emergency Assistance Programs; Heartfelt Gratitude to the various international governments and local governments that provided assistance to Iloilo City after being hit by typhoon Frank; declaring Children’s Month in Iloilo City; Tourism Events

c. 2 Privilege Speeches: ”Safety in our Homes” and “Keeping Things Real”

2. Special Projects (this is aside from the usual assistance given for Fiestas, Senior Citizen, Women and Youth affairs):

a. Dinagyang Kapamilya Dance Showdown 2 - A talent show competition for dance groups of 8-10 members during the biggest tourism event in the Philippines which is the pride of Iloilo, the Dinagyang Festival. It aims to showcase the talent of the young Ilonggos. It is said to have been the best crowd getter and most successful special event in its 1^st year and we hope to make it bigger and better on its 2^nd year.

b. 1^st Linkages for Excellent (LEX) Communication Convention – A convention for media practitioners and broadcasting students and the like. This focuses on improvement of communication skills in the modern age and responsible journalism.

c. 1^st Labor Experience Exchange(LEX) Alternative Career Program – This is a career guidance and counseling project for high school graduating students for them to be able to choose the right college course and for graduating college students for them to be able to choose the right career in life.

d. Labor and Employment Exchange (LEX) International JOBS Fair

e. Labor and Employment Exchange (LEX) JOBS Fair Caravan – JOBS Fair brought to the various schools and universities

f. Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Exchange (LEX) Program – A free seminar on English Proficiency, Cooking, Bartending, Microfinance and Cell phone Repair. This project aims to provide additional skills and training for possible extra sources of income.

g. 1^st Kasadyahan Pangkabataan – My own way of celebrating my birthday which was making the Bantay Bata Kids smile and enjoy games, prizes, mascots and breakfast

h. 1^st Bunyag sa Syudad – My post birthday celebration was with the indigent families. I sponsored a mass baptism for babies and toddlers as well as the reception that followed.

i. Blood Letting/Donation drive

j. Seminar on Public Accountability and Ethics for Sanggunian Kabataan Officials of Iloilo City

k. Learners for Educators Excellence (LEX) Awards – As I was once one of the youngest public school teachers, I also would like to acknowledge and recognize the hard working young public school teacher achievers and the senior supreme achievers of Iloilo City. This project also aims to inspire the so called “second parents” and “mind molders” to become high quality educators.

l. 1^st Quest for Barangay Service Excellence: Search for the Most Outstanding Sanggunian Barangay and Most Outstanding Barangay Kagawad

m. Life Expectancy Extension (LEX) District and Barangay Medical Missions - This is focused on women, children and elderly health concerns. It is brought to the 7 Area Districts and the various barangays of Iloilo City

n. Tingog sang Kabataang Ilonggo (Voice of the Youth of Iloilo) LEX Talk – This is our tri-media (TV- SkyCable and CableStar; Radio- Aksyon Radyo and Bombo Radyo; Newspaper-NewsEXpress) program that focuses on youth issues and concerns. It seeks to give a voice to the voiceless and importance to those who seem to be unrecognized. I serve as anchor for the TV and Radio show and a newspaper columnist

I would like to thank my staff for tirelessly working with me as well as my UGYON partymates, MARKA Liberal friends, my partner agencies and institutions and the people of Iloilo City for supporting me with the various legislative measures and special projects. I hope we will continue to work together for the unity and progress of our beloved city.

I will continue to listen to suggestions, constructive comments and proposed projects/ideas of and for the Ilonggos. I am here to be of service to all of you.

Naga UGYON ako sa pamilyang Ilonggo sa pagselebrar sang paskwa kag bag-ong tuig 2009. Happy Holidays.

Para sa kauswagan sang Syudad sang Iloilo, UGYON kabataang Ilonggo, UGYON Iloilo. Ilonggos are worth working and fighting for.