Sagay City Mayor Leo Rafael “Bebo” Cueva laid out a strong and urgent call to action to the newly convened Sangguniang Panlungsod during his inaugural message, according to a press release from Sagay PIO.
During the council’s first session on July 2, the mayor urged the City Council to act swiftly on key legislation that will address gaps identified in the 2024 Governance Assessment Report.
Cueva, however, didn’t shy away from the challenges, saying these gaps are not setbacks, but are signals of where bold decisions must be made.
Among his top priorities is the institutionalization of essential offices like formally establishing the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), and the Local Youth Development Office (LYDO).
Those, he said, are crucial in ensuring social protection and equal access to services.
Cueva also wants the council to work on economic legislation including creating a Chamber of Commerce and crafting policies that will support local enterprises.
“We need to open more doors for business and investment,” he told the council.
Environmental governance is another urgent concern with the mayor pushing for an updated Solid Waste Management Plan and a revised Local Climate Change Action Plan.
On disaster preparedness, he challenged the council to strengthen Sagay’s Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund.
Cueva also pointed to the need for better use of the National Tax Allotment and asked the legislative body to align budget priorities with development goals through effective fiscal policy.
All these priorities fall under his “CUEVA Development Agenda”, short for Capacitating the Underprivileged through Education and Valuable Assistance.
Cueva said it is a roadmap for making Sagay more inclusive, more resilient, and more responsive to people’s needs.
“We cannot delay action. We have the data. We have the direction. Now we need legislation,” the mayor said, adding “Let’s align our plans, pass responsive ordinances, and build a Sagay that puts people first.”
Meanwhile, Vice Mayor Narciso Javelosa, Jr. vowed to ensure that the deliberations of the city council are open and accessible and will strive to maintain the highest ethical standards to foster a culture of trust and integrity.
The vice mayor also urged the government officials to work in harmony to uplift the lives of every sector of the society and every family that calls Sagay home.
During the inaugural session, SP members approved the resolution regarding their house rules, their respective committee assignments, and appointments of Rodnel Delos Reyes as City Administrator and lawyer Beethoven Fuentesfina, Sr. as City Legal Officer.*
