PAKASARiTAAN (October 2020 - December 2020)

OCTOBER 2020 - DECEMBER 2020

The 2020 LTIA Cebu City Awards Committee, chaired by DILG Cebu
City Officer-in-Charge Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, received plaques
of appreciation during the awarding ceremony on November 27
at Bayfront Hotel./IO JEAN MARVETTE A. DEMECILLO

Outstanding Lupong
Tagapamayapa awarded

FULL STORY ON PAGE 3

Cebu City showcases best practices vs COVID-19

FULL STORY ON PAGE 5

6 Lucero thanks 18 Road Clearing 24 BARANGAY STORY
Cebu City 2.0 resumes 25
barangays Barangay Buhisan
installs Wi-Fi
for youth

What’s EDITORIAL
PAKASARiTAAN BOARD
and Why
Editor-in-Chief/Publisher
“Pakasaritaan” is an Ilokano word for history,
chronicle. It comes from the root word “sarita” which ATTY. IAN KENNETH B. LUCERO, JD
means a tale, story, narration.
DILG Cebu City Officer-in-Charge
This newsletter is a history itself, being the first ever
online publication of DILG Cebu City. Writers

The head of DILG Cebu City, Atty. Ian Kenneth B. LGOO VI MARIA LOURDES D. BOONE
Lucero, both an Ilokano and Cebuano by heart, decided LGOO VI SOCORRO DORINA LL. SALAS
to come up with this digital publication to share the LGOO V MARVEN M. ECARMA
Department’s programs and accomplishments. LGOO III EMMANUEL S. PEDRALBA
LGOO III GERLOU G. TIBON
True to its name, PAKASARiTAAN DILG Cebu City LGOO III SHARAMAE C. DALOGDOG
Publication indeed serves as a means of preserving LGOO II CRESENCIO ANTOLIN C. ASENIERO
a history, a chronicle that can be passed from one
generation to the next, to look back and learn from. Writer/Photographer

YEAREND MESSAGE LGOO II JEDAIA B. BALUGO

Among kinasing-kasing nga pasalamat kaninyong Editor/Writer
tanan sa inyong way puas nga pagsuporta sa DILG
Cebu City ug hinaut nga magpadayon pa kini sa DMO III GRACE MELANIE I. LACAMIENTO
umaabot nga tuig.
Writer/Photographer
Dili lalim atong giagian karong tuiga tungod aning
pandemya apan dako gihapon ang among paglaum IO II JEAN MARVETTE A. DEMECILLO

nga makabangon ra kita niini kon magpadayon Layout Artist/Graphic Designer
gihapon ta sa pagtinabangay batok sa
COVID-19. IO I KENT D. DIVINAGRACIA

Sa ngalan sa DILG Cebu City, Support Staff
ako manghinaut sa usa ka luwas
ug mabungahong bag-ong tuig AA IV INOCENTES A. CABO, JR.
kanatong tanan! Amping mo kanu- JO JUNYDY D. RODELA
nay.
DILG VISION & MISSION
2
VISION

A strongly determined and highly trusted
Department committed to capacitate and
nurture local government units, public order
and safety institutions to sustain peaceful,
progressive and resilient communities
where people live happily.

MISSION

The Department shall promote peace
and order, ensure public safety, strengthen
capability of local government units through
active people participation and a profes-
sionalized corps of civil servants.

Outstanding Lupong
Tagapamayapa awarded

Eight barangays in Cebu City re- Barangays Buhisan, Busay, Bonbon,
ceived recognition for their exem- Bacayan, and Sirao were declared as
plary performance in settling dis- finalists and were given P10,000 and
putes in the community during the plaques each.

2020 Lupong Tagapamayapa Incen-

tives Awards (LTIA) ceremony held at Department of the Interior and Local

Bayfront Hotel on November 27. Government (DILG) Cebu City Officer-in-

Charge and 2020 LTIA Cebu City Awards

Barangay Budlaan bested the 79 Committee Chair Atty. Ian Kenneth

other barangays and emerged as the Lucero said that the dedication of the

city winner, receiving P50,000 and a Lupong Tagapamayapa to facilitate the

plaque of recognition. amicable settlement of neighbourhood

disputes has helped the government

It was followed by Barangay Guada- unclog the already congested court

lupe as first runner-up and Barangay dockets and save billions of pesos.

Kalunasan as second runner-

up, which bagged P30,000 and For every case the Lupon settles, the

P20,000, respectively and plaques of government saves P9,500 which is the

recognition. estimated adjudication cost, he said.

MATINO, MAHUSAY AT MAAASAHAN 3

Lucero also thanked the Cebu City Atty. John Jigo Dacua, representing

Government led by Mayor Edgardo Labella as guest of honor, acknowl-

Labella for the undying support in edged the crucial role of the Lupon in

seeing to the efficient and effective the country’s justice system.

implementation and administration of

the Katarungang Pambarangay (KP). In behalf of Liga ng mga Barangay

He also shared that the city government (LnB) Cebu City Chapter President

has increased the budget for the pri- Franklyn Ong, Patricia Calumpang like-

zes in next year’s LTIA and allotted wise congratulated all the awardees.

funds for the capacity development of

the Lupon. This year’s members of the LTIA

Cebu City Awards Committee and

DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela validators are Atty. Mark Anthony

highlighted the vital contribution of Gaviola of Young Lawyers Association

the Lupon in the maintenance of peace of Cebu, Mark Allan Palanca of Dilaab

and harmony in the community. Foundation, Fritz Sabella of LnB Cebu

City, Redem Macabenta of Regional

In Region VII alone, close to 80% of Trial Court Office of the Clerk of

the cases referred to the Lupong Taga- Court, and Sammy Dasoc of Office of

pamayapa in CY 2019 were settled by the Cebu City Vice Mayor./LGOO III
the Lupon, thus helping the govern- Gerlou G. Tibon/DMO III Grace
ment save an estimate sum of P307 Melanie I. Lacamiento
million.

CONSOLIDATED KP COMPLIANCE REPORT ON ACTIONS TAKEN
BY CEBU CITY LUPONG TAGAPAMAYAPA IN CY 2020

NATURE OF DISPUTE SETTLED CASES ESTIMATED
CRIMINAL CIVIL TOTAL GOVERNMENT
HUC TOTAL SETTLEMENT
RATE SAVINGS

CEBU CITY 1,364 1,575 2,939 2,264 77% 21,508,000
80 BARANGAYS

4

Cebu City showcases best
practices vs COVID-19

The Cebu City Government shared tracing cluster; Dr. Caroll Cajegas, data
its best practices in handling analyst; Charoma Jessica Amatos,
the COVID-19 outbreak during a administrative head of contact tracing
webinar organized by the Department team; Dr. Judilbeth Bueneventura,
of the Interior and Local Government cluster clinic head; Dr. Bernice Ann
(DILG) – 7 on October 23 in celebration Espina, head of the swabbing team;
of the Local Government Month 2020. and Mr. Harold Alcontin, operations

head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk
Mayor Edgardo Labella took pride Reduction Cebu Management Office
of the city becoming the model for presented the city’s best practices on
other local government units in Central testing, isolation, contact tracing, and
Visayas and in the Philippines, which COVID-19 relief and response efforts,
he said was a “complete turnaround among others. /with reports and
from having at one point in time the photos from Cebu City Public
most number of cases in the country.” Information Office and DILG-7

Regional Information Unit
“I am proud of what we have done
together – government workers, front-
liners, our community, and our private
sector partners. Nagpakita kini nga ang
pagtinabangay maoy makapalampos
kanato,” he added.

DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela
commended the city government for
showing creativity and innovation in
dealing with the health crisis.

Cluster heads of the city’s Emergency 5
Operations Center (EOC) namely Dr.
Catherine Echevarre, head of contact

QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE IS BOUNDLESS

Lucero thanks Cebu City
barangays

Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero, officer-
in-charge of the Department of
the Interior and Local Govern-
ment (DILG) Cebu City, commended
the barangay officials and workers for
their huge contribution in flattening
the curve in Cebu City.

Lucero was invited as a keynote
speaker during the yearend assembly
for CY 2020 of the Liga ng mga
Barangay (LnB) Cebu City Chapter on
December 21.

“2020 has been a tough year for
all of us but we managed to come
this far. There’s still so much to be
thankful for, including your continued
support to the programs, projects, and
activities of the DILG. Your support
has contributed to the success of the
Department throughout this year,” he
said.

He also gave recognition to the four
barangays namely Buot, Paril, Tabunan,
and Tagbao for remaining COVID-free
since the start of the pandemic.

LnB Cebu City President and Kasam-
bagan Punong Barangay Franklyn Ong
gave a Plaque of Appreciation to Lucero
for the latter’s valuable contribution
and unwavering support to the 80
barangays./LGOO II Jedaia B.
Balugo

6

DILG Cebu City head
supports OADR webinar
series

Department of the Interior and narios during the mediation process.
Local Government (DILG) Cebu
City Officer-in-Charge Atty. In his message of support during
Ian Kenneth Lucero served as the the OADR Webinar Series finale

resource person during the Episode 8 on December 18, Lucero thanked

of Katarungang Pambarangay webinar OADR for the opportunity to share

series of the Office for Alternative Dis- his knowledge on KP Law to a wider

pute Resolution (OADR) on Novem- audience, this time in a national scale.

ber 27. He also thanked the participants for

their queries and positive comments.

Lucero presented a step-by-step

guide in the mediation process starting “Rest assured, I am more than willing

from the cause of action until the termi- to provide support in your endeavors.

nation proceedings. More power to OADR and to more

milestones for the advancement of

He also discussed the forms used the Philippine ADR system,” Lucero

especially the samples of amicable stated./DMO III Grace Melanie I.
settlement and provided possible sce- Lacamiento

MATINO, MAHUSAY AT MAAASAHAN 7

Webinars
on KP Law
held

Lupon Chairmen, Lupong Tagapa-
mayapa members, Lupon Secre-
taries, and Sangguniang Barangay
members in Cebu City and other parts
of the country joined the two webinars
on Katarungang Pambarangay (KP)
Law organized by the Department of
the Interior and Local Government
(DILG) – 7 to enhance their knowledge
on barangay justice.

The webinars were part of the cele-
bration of the Local Government Month
2020 in October.

DILG-7 Local Government Monitoring
and Evaluation Division Chief and DILG
Cebu City Officer-in-Charge Atty. Ian
Kenneth Lucero served as the resource
speaker for the two webinars on juris-
dictional and procedural aspects on
KP Law and rules on venue.

He presented the substantial provi-
sions of the law, illustrative cases, and
Supreme Court decisions.

Lucero also challenged the partici-
pants to apply what they have learned
from the two webinars./DMO III Grace
Melanie I. Lacamiento

8

IN THE NEW NORMAL

SKs reminded of their
functions

Department of the Interior and “SK in the Transition Period, Better
Local Government (DILG) Cebu Normal in Youth Service” organized by
City Officer-in-Charge Atty. Ian the SK Federation of Cebu City.
Kenneth Lucero reminded the Sang-

guniang Kabataan (SK) in Cebu City to He urged the young leaders to ensure

continue discharging their functions their presence is felt especially in

amid the restrictions brought about these trying times and come up with

by the COVID-19 crisis. initiatives in serving their communities,

including maximizing the digital media.

Lucero was invited to speak during

the Integrated Sangguniang Kabataan The seminar workshop was con-

Organizational Leadership through ducted in batches in November and

Actions of Recovery, Development, December 2020./DMO III Grace
Agility and Sustainability (ISKOLAR- Melanie I. Lacamiento
DAS) seminar workshop with the theme

QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE IS BOUNDLESS 9

DILG Cebu
City personnel
undergo drug
test

Personnel of the Department of the
Interior and Local Government
Cebu City led by Officer-in-Charge
Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero voluntarily
submitted themselves to a drug test on
November 25.

This was in support of the city gov-
ernment’s program on ensuring a drug-
free workplace.

Lucero said public officials and govern
ment employees should act as role mo-
dels for the public.

All of them were found negative of
illegal drugs./DMO III Grace Melanie
I. Lacamiento

10

CCPOC convenes

Members of the Cebu City Peace vember 12, it deliberated and approved
and Order Council (CCPOC) the draft Peace and Order and Public
convened twice in CY 2020 Safety Plan which embodies the three-
with the objective of keeping all mem- year direction of the Council, and

bers abreast of the prevailing peace passed a resolution commending the

and order situation and addressing Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

related issues and concerns amid the 7 and Cebu City Police Office for their

pandemic. sustained and unrelenting efforts to

rid the city of all forms of illegal drugs

During its first regular meeting, amidst the COVID-19 threat.

CCPOC deliberated and passed

resolutions authorizing the release Meanwhile, the Regional Peace and

and utilization of confidential funds; Order Council (RPOC) – 7 tackled the

appointing the three other members of status and developments on peace

the People’s Law Enforcement Board; and order in Central Visayas during its

convening of the Administrative Board fourth quarterly meeting for 2020.

for drug-related public nuisances;

establishing the Balay Silangan and The December 3 meeting was pre-

Balay Paglaum; giving utmost priority sided by RPOC-7 Chair and Cebu

to the request of Cebu City Jail for the City Mayor Edgardo Labella. He was

procurement of equipment that will assisted by Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero,

help jail personnel detect contrabands; officer-in-charge of the Department

and seeking representation in the of the Interior and Local Government

Supreme Court for the establishment Cebu City./LGOO III Sharamae C.
of drug court in Cebu City Jail. Dalogdog/DMO III Grace Melanie

On its second regular meeting on No- I. Lacamiento

MATINO, MAHUSAY AT MAAASAHAN 11

BHERTs expanded

The Barangay Health and Emer- Meanwhile, the USAID’s ReachHealth
gency Response Team (BHERT) Program, in collaboration with the DILG
in Cebu City has been expanded, Cebu City, designed a training program
primarily in its composition. entitled “Strengthening BHERTs During

COVID-19 Pandemic” especially for

The Expanded BHERT is now com- those barangays with the most number

posed of the Punong Barangay as of cases.

team leader, Sangguniang Barangay

Member particularly the chairperson/ In partnership with Bidlisiw Foun-

member of the Committee on Health dation and DILG Cebu City, USAID also

or Women and Family as action officer, conducted microplanning workshops

and other volunteers such as repre- to identify and address the gaps and

sentative/s from the Barangay Orga- challenges affecting containment stra-

nizations and Civil Society Organiza- tegies./LGOO VI Maria Lourdes D.
tions operating in the barangay, sitio Boone
leaders, two Barangay Health Workers,

and Barangay Public Safety Officers.

DILG Cebu City undergoes ISO audit

The Department of the Interior During the progress of the audit,

and Local Government Cebu City it has been observed that some

underwent the internal audit for ISO processes and management systems

9001:2015 certification on December need to be updated to consider other

1 to 3. risks such as the ongoing pandemic./

LGOO VI Maria Lourdes D. Boone

12

Contact tracers monitored

The Department of the Interior In October, the contact tracers
and Local Government (DILG) underwent orientation on the princi-
Cebu City constantly monitored ples of contact tracing before being dep-
the performance of contact tracers loyed to their respective stations.

hired to augment the existing contact

tracing teams in the city. All clusters presented their accom-

plishments as contact tracers on

Weekly meetings were conducted December 16, 17, and 18./LGOO III
with the representatives of the Emmanuel S. Pedralba
clusters every Thursday to ensure their

performance was strictly monitored

and recorded.

QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE IS BOUNDLESS 13

DILG Cebu City participated
in EOC huddles

The Department of the Interior During the meeting, authorities
and Local Government (DILG) assess the COVID-19 situation in the
Cebu City participated the daily city based on the recent data gathered
morning huddles of the city’s Emer- from the concerned agencies./LGOO
gency Operations Center from Mon- III Emmanuel S. Pedralba
days to Fridays.

14

POPS Plan approved

The Cebu City Peace and Order
Council (CCPOC) approved the
draft Peace and Order and Public
Safety (POPS) Plan which embodies
the three-year direction of the Council.

The POPS Plan for CY 2020-2022,
which was drafted by the Technical
Working Group on September 25 and
presented to the Council for approval
on November 12, aims to improve life
in the community through measures
that fill in the gaps in the peace and
order and public safety situation in the
city.

This was in response to the request
of CCPOC Chairperson Mayor Edgardo
Labella, to come up with a workable
and doable plan fitting to the current
realities in the city. /LGOO III Sharamae
C. Dalogdog

MATINO, MAHUSAY AT MAAASAHAN 15

DILG Cebu City

IN ACTION

16

QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE IS BOUNDLESS 17

Road Clearing 2.0
resumes

In line with the flattened COVID-19 hand in hand in continuing the road
curve and improved quarantine clearing activities.
classifications, the Road Clearing
Operation 2.0 has resumed after more As of this writing, more than 50%

than seven months of suspension due of the Cebu City barangays have

to the pandemic. submitted their monitoring report

for December which shows their full

Local governments are given 60 days support to clear the roads of illegal

from November 16, 2020 until January obstructions./LGOO II Cresencio
15, 2021 to comply with Memorandum Antolin C. Aseniero
Circular 2020-145 of the Department

of the Interior and Local Government

(DILG) in accordance with their respec-

tive community quarantine classifica-

tion.

In areas under MGCQ like Cebu
City, full implementation of the Road
Clearing Operation 2.0 is enforced.

The Cebu City’s Prevention,
Restoration, Order, Beautification,
and Enhancement (PROBE) team,
barangays, and DILG Cebu City worked

18 Infographic from DILG Philippines

Fight vs illegal drugs
continues

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Abuse Prevention (COSAP).
the government continues to
undertake its efforts in erad- After the rollout, the authorities
icating illegal drugs especially in visited the residences of verified drug

barangays. personalities of the said barangays

and encouraged them to surrender.

Since October 2020, the Barangay Continuous monitoring of the status of

Drug Clearing Program has been drug surrenderers/personalities is also

rolled out to 33 barangays in Cebu ongoing.

City, wherein barangay officials and

members of the Barangay Anti-Drug COSAP likewise moved for the

Abuse Council attended the series of strengthening of the Community-

trainings. Based Drug Rehabilitation Program,

which was launched in 32 barangays

This was spearheaded by the as of this writing./LGOO V Marven
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, M. Ecarma (with reports from
Cebu City Police Office, Department Kristine V. Maringuran, COSAP/
of the Interior and Local Government, CADAC Secretary)
and Cebu City Office for Substance

MATINO, MAHUSAY AT MAAASAHAN 19

DILG Cebu City contact
tracers join Blood Revolution

At least 520 contact tracers the launch of Blood Revolution, a
hired by Department of the bloodletting campaign of the Depart-
Interior and Local Government ment of Health – 7, on November 10.
(DILG) Cebu City expressed support

to help save lives by donating blood in The activity was aimed to facilitate

batches. the accessibility of sufficient blood

supply in the region and the country

This was announced by DILG - 7 especially in this time of pandemic./IO
Director Leocadio Trovela during II Jean Marvette A. Demecillo

GAD activities held

The Department of the Interior DILG Cebu City likewise facilitated
and Local Government (DILG) the GAD planning workshop for CY
Cebu City has reviewed the 2021 of Barangays Banilad and Apas
Gender and Development (GAD) Plans on December 3 and 11 respectively, in

and Budget (GPB) and Annual Accom- response to their requests for technical

plishment Report of the 73 baran- assistance.

gays in Cebu City and issued corre-

sponding Certificate of Review and On December 9, it also oriented the

Endorsement as one of the required newly appointed GAD focal person of

attachments of the barangay’s Annual the Cebu City Government on GAD and

Budget. other related laws./LGOO VI Maria

GPBs of those barangays that opted Lourdes D. Boone

to amend/realign their plans were also

reviewed.

20

DRRM efforts strengthened

The Department of the Interior DILG Cebu City also participated
and Local Government (DILG) in the strategic planning activity of
Cebu City has been regularly CCDRRMO on September 25 that aimed
present in the Cebu City Disaster Risk to set its direction for the upcoming

Reduction and Management Council years and strengthen the partnership

(CCDRRMC) weekly meetings wherein between DILG and CCDRRMO.

updates on the city’s status in terms

of disaster prevention and manage- On October 21, Officer-in-Charge

ment are discussed. Atty. Ian Kenneth Lucero and LGOO

III Emmanuel Pedralba also attended

On September 10, the plan and the Cebu City Fire Advisory Council

budget of CCDRRM Office (CCDRRMO) meeting to establish protocols and

for CY 2021 were reviewed and standards during fire incidents./LGOO
harmonized before being presented to III Emmanuel S. Pedralba
CCDRRMC.

QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE IS BOUNDLESS 21

Barangay
Assemblies
conducted

Barangays in Cebu City conducted
Barangay Assemblies during
weekends of November and
December pursuant to the Depart-
ment of the Interior and Local Govern-
ment (DILG) Memorandum Circular
No. 2020-137.

During the event, the Punong
Barangay gives his/her State of the
Barangay Address and reported his/her
accomplishments for the last semester
of CY 2020. Residents also engage in
a dialogue with their barangay officials
on their issues and concerns.

Highlighting the activity was the
reading of the message of DILG
Secretary Eduardo Año who thanked
the barangay officials and Barangay
Health Emergency Response Teams for
their efforts in the fight against COVID-
19, the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Coun-
cils for the continued fight against illegal
drugs, and the Barangay Ecological
Solid Waste Management Committee
for maintaining the cleanliness which
helps in preventing the spread of the
virus./LGOO II Cresencio Antolin
C. Aseniero

22

LCAT-VAWC activities held

A series of online activities for the national orientation of diversion toolkit
Local Committee on Anti-Trafficking for duty bearers at the barangay level
and Violence against Women and Chil- on December 2; and culminating acti-
dren (LCAT-VAWC) were conducted to vity of the 18-Day Campaign to End
enhance the knowledge of barangays. VAW on December 14.

These activities included consul- Department of the Interior and Local
tation on the operationalization func- Government Cebu City focal person
tionality of LCAT-VAWC/local expe- LGOO VI Socorro Dorina Salas also
rience in protecting children and their participated in various inter-agency
rights during COVID-19 on November focus group discussions on LCAT-
3; webinar series on anti-trafficking in VAWC./LGOO VI Socorro Dorina
persons on November 9 and 11; online Ll. Salas

Know our frontline services

The Department of the Interior and Local Government shall provide the
following frontline services/assistance to Local Government Units (LGUs) and
officials through the issuance of certificates and necessary documents:

• Barangay Officials Death Benefit Assistance;
• Certification of Compliance to Full Disclosure Policy;
• Authority to LGUs to Purchase Vehicles;
• Certification for Foreign Travel Authority of Local Government Officials

and Employees;
• Certification of Service Rendered by Local/Barangay Officials for Applica-

tion for CSC Eligibility;
• Certificate of Accreditation to Civil Society Organizations; and
• Certification of Incumbency of Local Officials./LGOO II Jedaia B. Balugo

MATINO, MAHUSAY AT MAAASAHAN 23

BARANGAY STORY

Barangay Buhisan
installs Wi-Fi for youth

Story and photos contributed by Barangay Buhisan
led by Punong Barangay Gremar C. Barete

To address the need for stable
Internet connection due to the
rise of online learning during the
pandemic, the Sangguniang Barangay
(SB) and Sangguniang Kabataan
(SK) of Barangay Buhisan, Cebu City
launched the Free-Clustered Sitio-
based Wi-Fi project for the in-school
youth.

Wi-Fi routers were installed in key
sitios where CCTVs are currently
installed, thus creating multiple Wi-Fi
hotspots in Sitio Eskwelahan located
at Sto. Nino Chapel and Eco Gem;
Sitio Bato; Sitio Upper Sandayong;
Sitio Buhisan Proper located at
Buhisan Gym; Sitio Nazareth located
at CCF Gym; crossing Nazaret; Sitio
Camparville and Buhisan Shrine; Sitio

Kalumboyan located at the basketball
court; and Sitio Dulhogan.

The routers were procured using the
P1 million financial assistance received
by SK from the Cebu City Government.

But, it does not end there.

24

BARANGAY STORY

The barangay leaders are eyeing to
configure an automated Wi-Fi Login
Management System to ensure that
the project is being maximized by
the in-school youth members of the
barangay.

They also plan to expand the
coverage of the project to other sitios
by installing additional Wi-Fi routers
and CCTVs to enable the establish-
ment of more hotspots.

In the meantime, residents from
other sitios where the hotspots are
yet to be created are asked to extend
their patience, with the assurance
that reasonable efforts are already
put in place to make the free Internet
connection available in the entire
barangay.

QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE IS BOUNDLESS 25

Gasa sa Gugma Taliwa
sa Pandemya

At least 200 poorest of the poor The Christmas gifts were funded
families in Barangays Cogon from the donations of officers and
Pardo and Tinago in Cebu officials of the 209.4 Division, 209th
City received gifts from the 209th Squadron, and outside sources.

Squadron and 209.4 Division of the

Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary on Present during the gift giving

December 30. activity were 209 Squadron Director

CAPT Lilibeth Faelnar, PCGA; Deputy

This was in coordination with the Director for Operations CAPT Richard

Department of the Interior and Local Azares, PCGA; Deputy Director

Government (DILG) Cebu City and for Administration LCDR Ludwig

barangay governments led by Cogon Amandoron, PCGA; 209.4 Division

Pardo Punong Barangay Harry Erran Director LCDR John Sulay, PCGA;

and Tinago Punong Barangay Domingo Deputy Division Director for Operations

Lopez. LCDR Neil Andales, PCGA; other

26

officers and members of the 209.4
Division; PCG Central Visayas officers;
and barangay officials.

In his message, DILG Cebu City
Officer-in-Charge Atty. Ian Kenneth
Lucero highlighted the vital role of
the community, government, and
other sectors in the shared social
responsibility towards the protection
of the environment and the fight
against COVID-19.

Lucero, also a Lieutenant Comman-
der belonging to the 209.4 Division of
the 209th Squadron, likewise empha-
sized the levelling up of the spirit of
volunteerism and community involve-
ment especially in this time of crisis.

Meanwhile, the 209.4 Division and
the Rotary Club of Cebu Port Centre
also conducted a feeding program
for the 350 children in Sitio Mahusay,
Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City
on December 29.

The 209.4 Division assists PCG in
serving the people. /DMO III Grace
Melanie I. Lacamiento (with
reports and photos from 209.4
Division)

MATINO, MAHUSAY AT MAAASAHAN 27

LEGAL CORNER By

Atty. Ian Kenneth B. Lucero, JD

DILG Cebu City Officer-in-Charge

A public street, being outside the commerce of man, may
not be the subject of lease or other contract.

FRANCISCO U. DACANAY
vs.
MAYOR MACARIO ASISTIO, JR., CITY ENGR. LUCIANO SARNE, JR. of
Kalookan City, Metro Manila, MILA PASTRANA AND/OR RODOLFO
TEOFE, STALLHOLDERS AND REPRESENTING CO-STALLHOLDERS

G.R. No. 93654, May 6, 1992

FACTS: commerce of man (Arts. 420, 424, Civil Code).
Being outside the commerce of man, it may not be
Pursuant to an ordinance, Caloocan City Acting the subject of lease or other contract (Villanueva et
Mayor Robles designated city streets as sites for al. vs. Castañeda and Macalino, 15 SCRA 142, citing
flea markets, including one on Heroes del ‘96 Street the Municipality of Cavite vs. Rojas, 30 SCRA 602;
where the petitioner lives. Espiritu vs. Municipal Council of Pozorrubio, 102
Phil. 869; and Muyot vs. De la Fuente, 48 O.G. 4860).
In 1987, OIC City Mayor Antonio Martinez caused
the demolition of the market stalls on Heroes del ‘96, As the stallholders pay fees to the City Government
V. Gozon and Gonzales streets. To stop his efforts for the right to occupy portions of the public street,
to clear the city streets, the stallowners filed an the City Government, contrary to law, has been
action for prohibition (Civil Case No. C-12921) in the leasing portions of the streets to them. Such leases
Regional Trial Court. or licenses are null and void for being contrary to
law. The right of the public to use the city streets
The trial court found that the said streets are of may not be bargained away through contract. The
public dominion, hence, outside the commerce of interests of a few should not prevail over the good of
man, and upheld the city mayor’s authority to order the greater number in the community whose health,
the demolition. peace, safety, good order and general welfare, the
respondent city officials are under legal obligation
However, after the decision came out, there was to protect.
a change in the city administration. Mayor Macario
Asistio, Jr. did not pursue Martinez’ policy of clearing The Executive Order issued by Acting Mayor
and cleaning up the city streets. Robles authorizing the use of Heroes del ‘96 Street
as a vending area for stallholders who were granted
Francisco Dacanay, who resides on Heroes del ‘96 licenses by the city government contravenes the
Street, filed a petition for mandamus to compel the general law that reserves city streets and roads
incumbent city mayor and city engineer to remove for public use. Mayor Robles’ Executive Order may
the market stalls from certain city streets and the not infringe upon the vested right of the public to
stallholders to vacate the streets. use city streets for the purpose they were intended
to serve: i.e., as arteries of travel for vehicles and
ISSUE: pedestrians.

Whether or not public streets or thoroughfares be The respondents City Mayor and City Engineer
leased or licensed to market stallholders by virtue of of Caloocan City or their successors in office are
an ordinance. ordered to immediately enforce and implement the
decision in Civil Case No. C-12921 declaring that
RULING: Heroes del ‘96, V. Gozon, and Gonzales Streets are
public streets for public use, and they are ordered
There is no doubt that the disputed areas from to remove or demolish, or cause to be removed or
which the private respondents’ market stalls are demolished, the market stalls occupying said city
sought to be evicted are public streets, as found streets.
by the trial court in Civil Case No. C-12921. A public
street is property for public use hence outside the