Palo councilor retains post as league president in Leyte

PALO, Leyte, Aug. 5 (PNA) -- Palo town councilor Wilson Uy was again picked as the Philippine Councilors League - Leyte chapter president in an election held Thursday at the Leyte Academic Center here.

Uy got 279 votes as against 44 votes obtained by his rival, Alangalang town Councilor Edwin Jomadiao.

PCL Leyte has 370 members, including presidents of Association of Barangay Chairman, who serves as ex-officio members.

Uy thanked his fellow council members, who for the third time, voted for him as their president.

For this term, Uy vowed to continue pushing their advocacy for the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) to allow councilors to continue paying their contribution even after their third term.

“Our purpose is for the councilors to avail retirement benefits,” said Uy.

Current GSIS regulations allow members to receive retirement benefits after 15 years of contribution payment. An elected official serves in the government for a maximum of three consecutive terms or nine years.

A councilor receives a salary ranging from PHP30,000 to PHP50,000 depending on the classification of the local government unit.

An advocacy group of the PCL has been talking with GSIS officials to discuss the proposal, according to Uy.

Uy also vowed to push for the drafting of the PCL-Leyte chapter constitution and by-laws that will allow them to implement and fund their own projects.

The PCL Leyte has been receiving a 30-percent share from the national chapter as their budget.

Other newly-elected PCL-Leyte chapter officials for 2016 to 2019 are Edwin Faller of Hilongos town (vice president), Rindo Lagonoy of Sta Fe (secretary), Jul Co of La Paz (treasurer), Bert Bregaudit of Palompon (auditor), Erwin Belleza of Abuyog (public relations officer), and David Alcover of Burauen (business manager).

New board of directors are Councilors Manny Martinez, Bianito Fiel, Othello Crisostomo, Janice Estribella, JT Villarino, Deborah Bertulfo, Arnold Allera, and Nicanor Gondaya. (PNA)
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