LCP convenes 71st Natl Exec Board Mtg with new Natl Chairman GenSan Mayor Rivera presiding

The League of Cities of the Philippines held its first hybrid National Executive Board (NEB) Meeting on November 25, 2021, at the Mindanao Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City. The meeting was organized by LCP to discuss critical issues concerning the safe and sustainable opening of local economies. Malcolm Garma, Assistant Secretary of Education, and Eric Domingo, Director-General of the Food and Drug Administration, are among the invited resource speakers. They provided updates on the safe reopening of schools as well as the status of booster shot administration.

Ronnel C. Rivera, the newly-elected National Chairman and Mayor of General Santos City, officially opened the session. Mayor Rivera took over for Mayor Edgardo C. Labella, who died as a result of complications from pneumonia.

Mayor Emi Calixto Rubiano, LCP Focal Mayor for International Cooperation, formally welcomed the participants to Pasay City. LCP National President and Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia highlighted the League’s active participation in various discussions and fora championing the welfare of cities in his report. He specifically reported on the League’s successful lobbying, which resulted in the inclusion of 17 cities as recipients of the Growth Equity Fund.

Similarly, Anti-Red Tape Authority Director-General Jeremiah Belgica stated the rationale for issuing Joint Memorandum Circulars calling for a ban on pass-through fees. Former House Speaker and Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano also spoke via Zoom. Cong. Cayetano urged localities to improve services in light of the Mandanas-Garcia ruling in 2022.

Many resolutions were passed during the meeting to keep the League running smoothly, including the adoption of the 2022 operational budget, reactivation of dormant accounts, and filling of vacancies on the Board. The Board also endorsed Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio for Vice-President.