BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental, Philippines – Administration ally Jesus Claudio Raymundo “Kalaw” Puentevella is confident his proposed ordinance setting the mechanism for the implementation of the flagship health program of sitting Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez will have a smooth sailing in the Sangguniang Panlungsod here as a majority in the local council is already co-authoring it.
Puentevella, who chairs the council’s health committee, is principal author of the Bacolod City Comprehensive Health Program ordinance that sets the mechanism for it.
He told DNX he expects opposition city dads to contribute to framing the final version of the measure and hopes they will cross party lines to support it.
“This is beyond politics,” Puentevella said as he pointed out that the proposed ordinance sends a message that they and Benitez want to institutionalize the health program for the city that would go beyond any sitting administration.
The proposed measure will go on first reading tomorrow or next week in the city council.
Aside from Puentevella, allies of Benitez who ran and won under his Team Asenso ticket – Jude Thaddeus Sayson, Al Espino, Jason Villarosa, Simplicia Distrito, Celia Flor, Vladimir Gonzalez, and Pao Sy – will also co author the proposed ordinance.
