Tacloban council tags thrusts in 3 years

TACLOBAN CITY, June 24 (PNA) -- The city council here has listed investment and tourism-related legislations as priority in the next three years.

Vice Mayor Jerry T. Yaokasin said revising the city’s investment code will be a top priority to draw more job-generating businesses to the city.

“One of the biggest problems in the city is job creation. With new investments, this aspect may be addressed,” he said.

He also believed that tourism code should be crafted especially that the city is a gateway of the region and tourists usually stay in the city before heading north or south for tourism activities.

We have to capitalize on the growing interest of people about recovery efforts after super typhoon Yolanda in 2013,” Yaokasin added.

The city council is dominated by women members. Most of the new members are young, who will contribute fresh ideas and new solutions to old-aged concerns in the city, according to Yaokasin.

He is hopeful that the council will be more participative and more dynamic with the presence of women councilors.

The 13th city council is composed of re-electionists Lawyer Jerry Uy, Lawyer Edwin Chua, Lawyer Evangeline Esperas, Victor Emmanuel Domingo, Raissa Villasin, Edward Frederick Chua, and Jose Mario Bagulaya.

The newly elected councilors are Rachelle Erica Pineda, Elvira Casal and Aimee Grafil. Association of Barangay Chairman (ABC) Eden Chua Pineda is an ex-officio member.

“More meaningful discussion and dialogues are expected from the council especially that majority of the members belong to the administration,” Yaokasin added. Out of the 11 members, only three belong to opposition party. (PNA)

PGL/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR