"We want a government that is proactive and prepared rather than one that is reactive to the issues of the times," said elected Pasig City Vice Mayor Robert "Dodot" Jaworski Jr. during the inaugural meeting of the 11th City Council on Thursday, July 7.
As vice mayor, Jaworski is the designated presiding officer of the City Council, which drafts, discusses, and passes local legislation in the city.
"We, in government, must strive to elevate the level of public service to the most effective, honorable, and efficient manner. Why? Because we asked for that responsibility, and our people deserve no less," Jaworski reminded his constituents.
The vice mayor reiterated his support for the reforms made by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto and urged the City Council to heed the call to continue his progressive mandate.
Jaworski said strengthening anti-corruption policies will remain the primary focus for the next three years.
He asked the Council to prioritize poverty reduction measures, especially for the urban poor whose problems have been "neglected for decades."
Specifically, he asked for a timeline of anti-poverty policies and programs throughout the years in Pasig in order to map viable solutions.
Citing education as "the most effective way to eradicate poverty," Jaworski urged the Council to expand access to educational policies and incentives to include non-honor students who may not display high grades in school, but are eager to finish their studies and earn college degrees.
He also called on the Council to craft policies to pave the way for universal healthcare in the city which is one of the major aims that Sotto wished to fulfill for his second term.
"Your 11th City council will work hard for the city of Pasig in order that we can improve present legislative systems that have been left unimproved in the last decades. I cannot stress the importance of a local legislative branch of government that oversees, not only for the present citizens, but more importantly, with the foresight to pave the way for a brighter and opportunity-filled future for the generations that will ensue," Jaworski said.
Mayor Sotto also attended the Council meeting and expressed his trust in the Council's abilities and eagerness to work with them.
"Sigurado na tataas ang antas ng diskurso, ng pakikipagtalastasan natin. Dahil po rito, sigurado rin ako na gaganda po ang mga output ng ating Sangguniang Panlungsod (Surely, we will have greater discourses and debates. I am also confident that with this new set of councilors, we will be able to improve the output of our City Council)," Sotto said.
"Sa inyong paglilingkod, at pagtanggap sa hamon na paigtingin pa ang mga pagbabago na ipinakikilala natin sa ating lungsod, maging tapat po kayo sa serbisyo, sa Diyos, sa ating kapwa Pasigueño at sa isa't isa (In accepting the challenge of strengthening the changes we've introduced in our city, remain honest in your service, to God, to your fellow Pasigueños, and to each other)," the mayor added.
The 11th Pasig City Council consists of Kiko Rustia, Simon Romulo Tantoco, Pao Santiago, Volta Delos Santos, Kap Eric Gonzales, and Reggie Balderrama for District 1; and Angelu De Leon, Corie Raymundo, Syvel Asilo, Buboy Agustin, Quin Kin Cruz, and Maro Martires for District 2.
During the inaugural meeting, the city councilors elected the chairpersons for the respective standing committees of the Council.
The elected chairmanship for the committees are as follows:
- Volta Delos Santos - majority floor leader; chairperson of the Committee on Rules, Laws, and Interior Government, Committee on Peace and Order Human rights, Judicial Matters, and Anti-drug Abuse,
- Corie Raymundo - presiding officer pro tempore; chairperson of Committee on Education, Committee on Ethics, Committee on Gender and Development
- Angelu De Leon - minority floor leader; chairperson of Committee on Technology, Communication and Energy, Committee on Cultural and Spiritual Affais, Committee on Social Services, and Solo Parent Affairs, Committee on Tourism
- Maro Martires - chairperson of Committee on Appropriation, Ways, and Means, Committee on Market
- Eric Gonzales - chairperson of Committee on Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition, Committee on Good Governance (Blue Ribbon Committee)
- Pao Santiago - chairperson of Committee on Senior Citizens, Retirees, and Veteran Affairs, Committee on Cooperatives, Committee on Livelihood
- Buboy Agustin - chairperson of Committee on Infrastructure, Committee on Disaster Resilience
- Quin Kin Cruz - chairperson of Committee on Human Settlement and Urban Development, Committee on Transportation and Mobility, Committee on Non-governmental Organizations
- Simon Romulo Tantoco - chairperson of Committee on Labor, Employment, and Manpower Development, Committee on Trade, Commerce, and Industry, Committee on Games and Amusement
- Kiko Rustia - chairperson of Committee on Land Use, Committee on Environmental Protection and Human Ecology
- Reggie Balderrama - chairperson of Committee on Climate Change, Committee on Parks and Playground
- Syvel Asilo - chairperson of Committee on Children's Affairs, Committee on Public Relations and Information