BAGUIO CITY –The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance creating the Council of Elders of the city.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Elmer Datuin stated that consistent with the principle of providing equal opportunity to each and every member of the community, it is a policy of the State under Article 2, Section 23 of the Constitution, to encourage non-governmental, community-based or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation.
Under the proposed local legislative measure, there shall be a Council of Elders of the city composed of all former mayors and congressmen who shall elect among themselves their Council Secretary and Treasurer.
Further, the chair shall be automatically delegated to the incumbent mayor who will occupy the said post until the expiration of the term of office.
The ordinance stipulated the Council of Elders shall meet at least once a year before the celebration of the city’s Charter anniversary on September 1, every year or at the call of the Council chair.
The Council of Elders shall initiate programs designed to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, spiritual, and physical development of the members; to act as an advisory body of the local government of Baguio and to provide inputs for the welfare of their constituents; exercise other duties or functions as the Council chairperson may determine to delegate and exercise such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.
The ordinance provided the chairperson of the Council of Elders shall call and preside over meetings, implement policies, programs, and projects for the members of the Council, exercise general supervision over the affairs and activities of the Council and exercise such other powers and perform such other duties and functions as may be prescribed by law or ordinance.
On the other hand, the Secretary shall keep all records, prepare and keep the minutes of meetings and perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as the Chair may direct while the Treasurer shall take custody of the properties and funds of the Council; collect and receive contributions, monies, materials and all other resources intended for the Council; disburse funds in accordance with an approved budget of the Council; certify to the availability of funds whenever necessary; submit to the Chair certified and detailed statements of actual income and expenditures at the end of the year and perform such other duties and discharge such other functions as the Chair may direct.
The ordinance added the Council of Elders shall be recognized during the celebration of the Baguio Charter Day and that they be made part of the activities of the said event.
Datuin proposed that funds for the sustainable operation of the Council of Elders shall be taken from whatever available funds of the City Mayor’s Office.
He pointed out the creation of the Council of Elders is in recognition of the important role that the elders have accomplished in the city in establishing and maintaining practices and guiding principles that have contributed to the city’s growth through the years.
By Dexter A. See
