By John Noel E. Herrera
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Trenas has asked the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to resolve the issues within the council, noting that it might affect the work and programs of the city government.
“I am asking the councilors to talk among themselves and find ways and means nga maresolve ni ang mga issues kay ti kabudlay, kadamo pa sang ulubrahon kag programa ta sa syudad,” Treñas said on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
“Kung may ara nga binahigay, almost every week na, mabudlay para sa aton. Ang atensyon sang tao, instead sa kaayuhan, daw gabantay na lang kung ano gatabo,” he added.
This, after some tense moments involving city councilors were reported during the previous regular sessions in the SP.
Last week, Councilors Plaridel Nava and Rex Sarabia had an argument over proper decorum as the latter was seen pretending to eat popcorn while the council was in the middle of a deliberation.
On Wednesday, April 26, the council had another tense moment after Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna called Nava “Manong Nava”, which the latter labeled as inappropriate as he felt disrespected.
Manong is a deferential word for elders.
Treñas, however, said that the situation is not alarming as the councilors just need to talk and discuss how to resolve it, citing his experience in the past, particularly in Congress.
“Indi man ni nga alarming, but ti you know, it’s not nice. Sa amon sang una, may amu man na, pero eventually nasturyahan man. Sa Congress, kung kaisa may amu man na, pero ti ga agi man lang na,” Treñas said.
If tense moments continue to happen in the council, the city mayor said he is willing to be the peacemaker and find ways just to resolve the issues.
“Hopefully, kung hindi gid ini maresolve, mapatunga na lang ako kag pangitaan paagi para ma-resolve ini,” Treñas stressed.
