• CHRYSEE G. SAMILLANO
Outgoing Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran and outgoing Councilor Renecito Novero delivered their farewell speeches before the Sangguniang Panlungsod during their last session Wednesday, thanking their colleagues and the people of Bacolod for giving them the opportunity to serve the city.
Novero, who was Familiaran’s running mate during the May elections, said that looking back and looking now, “All of us will be confronting three enemies every election. These are the evil of money politics, the evil of indifference, and the evil of ignorance. Many have managed to triumph over it or won.”
“Nevertheless, may I say that my stay in the SP in this present dispensation, from 2016 until today, has been very fruitful. Even as I look back in 1998 and now, I consider myself to be the ‘last (of the) Mohicans’. I am the last of the first batch under the 1997 Constitution that have been elected as a member of the SP,” he said.
Novero congratulated those who had served with him… and he hopes that the sitting vice mayor will emulate Familiaran’s humility, dedication, sincerity, and his excellence in public service as the presiding officer of the SP.
He expressed his wish that “Everytime you stop in the SP Hall will be worthy of the expectation of the people and may every peso spent from the coffers of the city will serve the very portion of Bacolodnons we are expected to serve.”
Meanwhile, Familiaran thanked the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod for the trust, confidence, and respect he was afforded during his stint as vice mayor of Bacolod City. It was an honor serving as their presiding officer.
“My heart is full. After nine fruitful years as your vice mayor and presiding officer, I can proudly say that I am happy with what we have achieved to make Bacolod City what it is today – and hopeful for what lies ahead under the leadership of our new elected officials,” he said.
“Your Sangguniang Panlungsod is not perfect. We may have debated over contrasting views, stood on opposing sides of an issue, yet we have managed to set aside our differences and come together for what is just and for the best interest of our constituents,” Familiaran said.
This sincere intent to serve the people of Bacolod has made this august body more than just legislators and lawmakers. At some point, we have become a family despite our political alliances. We have become a part of the force that, together with the executive, created ways for the City of Bacolod to realize her true potential, he said.
This Sangguniang Panlungsod is in capable hands under Vice Mayor Claudio Jesus Raymundo “Kalaw” Puentevella, he said.*
