President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recognizing the National Government’s obligation in the release of the just share of the Local Government Units in the National Internal Revenue Taxes designed the IRA Securitization and Monetization Program. Under the program, President Arroyo tasked different National agencies to securitize the unreleased Internal Revenue Allotment as bonds to be guaranteed by the National Government and floated by a government financial Institution.

The resolution instituted two dimensional authorities, first, for the City Mayor to enter and sign in behalf of the City Government the said subscription agreement to the National Government’s IRA Securitization and Monetization and second, for the Governor to enter and sign in behalf of the City Government the Trust agreement forming the Special Purpose Trust created to achieve and implement the monetization of the City of Vigan proportional share in the 6.76 Million unreleased IRA for local government units for Calendar Year 2000. /Javila

With the approval of the resolution “A Resolution Initiating a Codification Project in the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Vigan and Creating a Codification Team for the Purpose,” introduced by the Vice Mayor Franz Ranches, the codification project was made possible.

Codification as defined is the process of collecting, classifying, revising and supplementing the ordinances of a Local Government Unit (LGU), involving a complete and systematic process, the result of which is a new enactment called “Code.” Specifically, the codification project aims to: (1) Ensure that ordinances and resolutions that have been repealed or amended by subsequent ordinances and resolutions are no loner carried in the ordinance books; (2) Prevent the possibility of conflicting or duplicative ordinances which do not only confuse abut also engender legal complication in the enforcement of ordinances and resolutions; (3) Enable the LGU to update its existing ordinances and resolutions in accordance with applicable provisions of the code; and (4) Serve as a handy guide and reference for local officials and general public as well.

A codification team composed primarily of the following persons shall initiate this six-month project: Vice mayor as the team leader and the Chairman of the Committee on Rules and Legal Matters as assistant team leader. Members of the team are composed of an SP Member representing the minority party, Secretary of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, the legislative staff officer, community affairs assistant, two researchers and one encoder.

The codification shall be in a form of coming up with various codes covering specific subject areas. This will include all existing and relevant administrative and revenue ordinances of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Vigan from year 1972 till present. Codified ordinances and resolutions then should be in a form of hard and soft copies. This will also involve uploading of the codified ordinances and resolutions to the Internet for easy access on the said documents.

At present, the team is already on the process of classifying the ordinances and resolutions into the various subject areas. This codification would run for the six month and is set to be finish by August.

With the approval of the said resolution, a codification project in the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Vigan and creating a codification team for the purpose is made possible. The codification shall be in a form of coming up with various codes covering specific subject areas. This will include all existing and relevant administrative and revenue ordinances of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Vigan form year 1972 till present.

Under the said resolution, the Sangguniang Panlungsod grants a City franchise to Vigan Satellite Television, Inc, to operate a cable television system under various terms and conditions. The franchise shall be a period of ten years, counted from the approval of the resolution with the option on the part of the grantee, Vigan Satellite to renew the same with the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Vigan. This resolution was approved on its third and final reading last February 11, 620002.

“A Resolution Authorizing Honorable Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina to Negotiate and Purchase a Lot in behalf of the City Government of Vigan Situated at Sitio Nalasin, Camangaan/Cabaroan Daya, Vigan City to be Used as a Controlled Dumpsite of the City of Vigan.” (Introduced by: SPM Benedicto Jose Verzosa)

The said resolution, which was approved last February 11, 2002, will authorize Hon. Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina to negotiate and purchase the lot situated at Sitio Nalasin, Camangaan/Cabaroan Daya to be used as controlled dumpsite of the City of Vigan. The Sangguniang Panlungsod and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as a highly suitable site for the controlled garbage site identified the said lot. The areas are open lands with no residential hoses found near the area. The handling distance from the City proper is only about 6 kilometers.

“An Ordinance Amending Certain Provisions of Ordinance No. 10 Series of 2000 (An Ordinance Establishing Guidelines for the Transfer of Tricycle Franchise Issued by the Municipality of Vigan)” (Introduced by: Vice Mayor Franz Ranches, SPM Danilo Esteban Javier, SPM Benedicto Jose Verzosa and SPM George Villanueva)

Approved last February 11, 2002, the said ordinance amended Sections 2.1 and 2.5 of Ordinance No. 10 Series of 2000. Section 2.1 of the amended ordinance states that the transfer of tricycle franchises from one municipality to another us already allowed. Section 2.5 on the other hand, indicates that a transfer fee of P1,000.00 from P5,000.00 shall be paid to the Office of the City Treasurer. Exemptions from the payment of the transfer fee provided herein shall be granted if the franchise is transferred from the franchise to his immediate relative on the first civil degree of consanguinity or affinity. It further states that the transfer of tricycle franchises under Section 2.1 shall only be allowed within six (6) months from approval of this ordinance or until September 30, 2002. However, after the transition period of six (6) months, transfer of tricycle franchise shall only be allowed within the municipality/City where the franchise has been originally issued.

“A Resolution Requesting The Honorable Regional Director of the department of Foreign Affairs Regional Office No. 1 to Extend on Site Passport Processing Services in Vigan To Bring The Government Agency Closer To The People.” (Introduced by: SPM Jun Figuerres)

The Department of Foreign Affairs, Regional Office I is located at San Fernando City, La Union that is traveled for four and a half hours from Laoag City and two and a half hours from Vigan and Bangued. Since it is time consuming and tiring for the people of Laoag City, Vigan and Bangued especially the OFW’s from these places who are always involve in passport processing services; it is but proper for the DOF-REU I to send a representative to hold office in Vigan at least once a week. This will not only allow our OFW’s to save money and time but will also minimize transportation costs for gasoline/diesel consumption. The said resolution was approved last February 11, 2002.

“A Resolution Providing Billboards For Posting of The Price Behavior of Prime Commodities And Basic Necessities To Be Placed Strategically at The Main Entrances of The Vigan City Public Market And Allocation of Funds Thereof.” (Introduced by: SPM Jun Figuerres)

In order to provide effective and efficient protection to consumers against profiteering, billboards must be put up. The Vigan public market is an appropriate and conspicuous venue for the posting of billboards wherein prices of basic and prime commodities shall be displayed where people from all walks of life can see. Billboards of such kind are one way of establishing a mechanism that will always protect consumers from unreasonable price increases especially during calamities, emergencies and similar occurrences.

“An Ordinance Appropriating The Amount of Forty Two Million Seven Hundred Twenty Six Thousand Four Hundred Eighty Four Pesos (P42,726,282.00) From The Additional Internal Revenue Allotment of The City Government As Supplemental Budget No. 2.” (Introduced by: SPM Danilo Esteban C. Javier)

Approved last February 26, 2002, the said amount was released from the Additional Internal Revenue Allotment for the City of Vigan for C.Y. 2002. This would be appropriated for calamity, scholarship, agriculture and development fund including honorarium for National officials assigned to the City Government. In this way, specific programs, projects, services and activities of the City Government would be made possible in order to promote and enhance the general welfare of the City and its constituents.

“A Resolution Requesting The Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur Thru Hon. Azucena Purisima, Chairman of The Sangguniang Panlalawigan Committee on Social Services, To Establish a Bahay Kalinga Center For The Welfare of The Mentally Deranged Victims of Child Abuse in The Province of Ilocos.” (Introduced by: SPM Lourdes Baquiran)

There is an increasing number of mentally challenged persons roaming the streets of Vigan. Up to date, there are no available structures in the Province of Ilocos Sur that address solely to the immediate problem of providing a temporary shelter for abused children and mentally challenged persons. Prison cells in Vigan are being used as halfway houses for this people. Since it is a constitutional obligation of the state to value the dignity of every human person and to provide special protection to children from all forms of abuse, neglect, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination, it is thereby imperative that a “Bahay Kalinga” Center be established in the province to serve as temporary shelter for victims of child abuse and mentally challenged individuals.

“A Resolution Requesting The City Mayor Hon. Eva Marie S. Medina Thru The Sangguniang Panlungsod Members To Provide Waiting Shed For The Tricycles And Passengers a The Vigan Public Market.” (Introduced by: SPM Jun Figuerres)

Due to the fact that significant tax collection of the City Government are derived from business establishments in the public market, it is only peculiar to establish waiting sheds to protect tricycle drivers and passengers from adverse effects of weather conditions such as strong sunlight radiation and heavy rain which are damaging to the health of anyone.

“Resolution Authorizing City Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina To Engage The Services of A Private Counsel To Represent City And Barangay Officials Including The Members of The City Police in Initiating Judicial Proceedings or Defending Themselves Against Legal Actions.” (Introduced by: SPM Danilo Esteban Javier)

Under the said resolution, the Sangguniang Panlungsod may authorize the City Mayor to engage the services of private counsel as stated under the City Charter, Republic Act No. 8988 particularly Article IV, Section 109( D ) that the Sangguniang Panlungsod shall provide legal assistance to City and barangay officials including the members of the City police who, in the performance of their official duties or on the occasion thereof have to initiate judicial proceedings or defend themselves against legal actions.

“An Ordinance regulating The Flow of Vehicular Traffic Surrounding The Vigan City Commercial Complex (Public Market) Within The Territorial Jurisdiction of The City of Vigan, Ilocos Sur.” (Introduced by: SPM Nicomedes Ramirez)

The said ordinance entails regulating the flow of vehicular traffic surrounding the Vigan City Commercial Complex (public market) of the City of Vigan as one-way traffic. The flow of traffic shall be in a counter-clock motion (from left to right) starting from the Jose Singson Street, going south. No vehicles shall be allowed to enter coming from Plaridel extension, bounded by the Liberation Blvd., going South; Alcantara Street, Northern portion, towards the West; Alcantara Street at the South, bounded at the East with Jose Singson Street towards North. Any violation of the provisions provided shall mean a fine of P300.00. PNP Patrol vehicles, fire truck vehicles, ambulance, shall be exempted provided however they are on official business.

“An Ordinance Regulating The Establishment of Junkyards Used By The Junkshop/Business Within The Territorial Jurisdiction of Vigan.” (Introduced by: SPM  Nicomedes Ramirez)

The City of Vigan, in line with its commitment to maintain its status as a tourist spot being listed in the UNESCO WORLD Heritage Cities, adopts a policy to regulate the establishment of junkyards used by junk shops/business within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Vigan. Provided, that the junkyards shall be at least thirty (30) meters away from any residential houses; that a perimeter fence shall be constructed/made available to surround the junkyard site. Violation of any provision of this ordinance shall be penalized with the fine of P500.00 for first offense; P1,000.00 for the second offense and cancellation of Mayor’s permit for the third offense.

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