VM Dumamareveals focus of Sangguniang Panlungsod

COTABATO CITY --- Cotabato City Vice-Mayor Graham Nazer G. Dumama has revealed the ongoing focus of the Sangguniang Panlungsod for the benefit of Cotabateños.

Dumama said the city council’s latest accomplishment for the past two weeks was the “economic zone declaration”, where the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has requested the city planning office to identify potential areas.

“We submitted a resolution addressed to PEZA, wherein they will select areas to be declared economic zone for economic progress. One potential area is located in Kalanganan Dos.We are targeting all for economic progress, measures and ordinances,” he said.

Dumama said they also submitted ordinances regarding tourism most especiallythe tourism code.

“We would want toregulateplacing of streamers and billboards for tourism beautification. It is not appropriate that they place these tarpaulins and streamers anywhere. Sometimes in places at high risk like electric posts,” he said.

Further, he said Councilor Bruce Matabalao’s focus which is Disaster Preparedness in every school is now on its third and final reading.

“Every school here in Cotabato City should have disaster preparedness plan,” he said.

With regards to the traffic problem, he said the city currently implements rerouting scheme.

“We created one way streets and updated our ordinances. We updated several laws that are still being implemented and followed in Cotabato City up to this day despite being crafted more than a decade ago,” he said.

It was learned that these outdated laws must already be amended or repealed in order to be more responsive to the present needs of the city.Considering that the city’s population is getting bigger by the day, Dumama said that in one to two weeks time, the executive department shall be implementing the new traffic code.

In addition, he said there will be “no parking” policy in some areas mostly in the highway. In SK Pendatun Avenue, it will be one way road.

“We will be strictly implementing and stiff penalties will be charged to violators. Just like other leading cities in the country, we need to pass local ordinances that are more relevant to the needs of the changing times", said Dumama.

In the midst of rapid development that Cotabato City is now experiencing, the city council copes and gears towards enacting laws that will be conducive to the growth of the city's economy.

Meanwhile, since we are observing fire prevention month, the good Vice-Mayor supports the campaign of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP).

“The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council shall join the BFP in the campaign in all barangays to ensure safety of every establishment and household,” he said. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)