Puerto Galera solon stopped from making privilege speech on EUF

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — A municipal councilor of Puerto Galera has asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to intervene after he was barred from delivering his privilege speech during the regular session of the Sangguniang Bayan on Monday (August 24). 

Councilor Aristeo “Aries” Atienza said he intended to use the privilege speech to give voice to strong opposition to the P50 Environmental User’s Fee (EUF) which was imposed on residents of Oriental and Occidental Mindoro. 

He also wanted to seek the restoration of the previous exemption granted to Mindoro residents. 

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Atienza was not allowed to deliver the speech on the floor, prompting him to instead release the full text of his statement through his official social media page. 

The incident led to a heated exchange between Atienza and Vice Mayor Rocky Ilagan, who presided over the session. 

The Vice Mayor questioned the online posts Atienza had previously shared regarding the EUF, noting that the portions of the ordinance the councilor had highlighted did not reflect the substance of the full measure. 

Following the discussion, the Sangguniang Bayan resolved to continue implementing the controversial environmental fee ordinance, with a mandatory review scheduled after six months. 

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Atienza was the sole member who voted against the decision. 

Citing the denial of his right to deliver a privilege speech, Atienza has formally requested for a legal opinion from the DILG to determine whether the presiding officer’s action was in accordance with law and proper parliamentary procedure. 

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In a message on Tuesday (Aug. 25), Atienza told the Inquirer that he is still waiting for the response of the DILG. 

Municipal Administrator Carmela Datiguinoo said the local government stands by its position to implement to ordinance but are open to further discussions. 

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The controversy over the P50 EUF continues to divide public opinion in Puerto Galera and across Mindoro. INQ