Nava: If nobody challenges, there is quorum

Despite there only be eight members of the Iloilo City Sangguniang Panlungsod present for the recent special session, a resolution was unanimously passed declaring a “State of Calamity” over the city due to ongoing El Niño conditions, which AccuWeather describes as a climate pattern that raises sea temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and results in drought conditions due to reduced rainfall.

Iloilo City Councilors R Leone Gerochi, Eduardo Peñaredondo, Candice Magdalane Tupas, Leizl Zulueta-Salazar, Mandrie Malabor, Lyndon Acap, Plaridel Nava, and Joshua Alim affirm their presence fulfilled the requirement for quorum.

“We are eight, so, we have met the quorum,” asserted Nava. “If no one challenges the quorum, it is presumed, there is a quorum.”

Meanwhile, after the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) convened earlier this week to determine if a “State of Calamity” should be declared, CDRRMO head Donna Magno said the city currently meets three out of five conditions for such a declaration.

She noted, at least 20 percent of the population is affected and is in need of emergency assistance; there is widespread destruction of fishponds, crops, and other agricultural products; and electricity, water systems, transportation, communications systems, among other networks have all experiences disruptions.

“Under the law, when we declare the State of Calamity, we can automatically use our quick response fund,” she stated.

Last week, Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia issued an executive order creating the El Niño Task Force, which is intended to help the city in preparation for effects from the ongoing “dry spell.”

Bacolod CDRRMO cluster head, Executive Assistant Joemarie Vargas, explained, aside from his agency, other parties involved in the task force include the Bacolod City Water District, or Baciwa; Central Negros Electric Cooperative, Inc., or Ceneco; and the Bacolod City Agriculture Office./WDJ