These include providing livelihood and education to his constituents. He would also enhance tax collection to boost the city’s coffers.

Fernandez presented his priority agenda to the councilors yesterday during the inaugural session of the 4th Sangguniang Panlungsod.

In his speech, Fernandez said he will offer the people of Talisay “heartfelt” service.

Fernandez said he would form an eco-zone, which was inspired by the bill authored by Rep. Eduardo Gullas of Cebu’s 1st district that would create an economic-development zone of the entire province.

“There we can create factories and business centers that will generate many jobs and additional revenues for Talisay City,” Fernandez said.

He said this would mean a greater budget for the delivery of basic services.

Fernandez said he will also set aside money to fund short-term and practical courses for the city's job seekers.

“We have livelihood preparation courses for the youth. We will add more to these so that the young will easily find jobs in the factories and other places.”

Gullas, in his keynote address, urged the council to practice servant leardership and thanked Vice Mayor Alan Bucao for the improvements in the interior of the City Hall.

The council's session hall is newly equipped with LCD monitors so that councilors no longer have to bring with them printouts of resolutions and ordinances.

Committee chairmanships were approved during the session.

Bucao released to the media a partial copy of the committee assignments (see table).

Two members of the minority were given committee vice chairmanships.

Councilor Danny Caballero was vice chairman of the committee on games, amusement and professional sports while Councilor Romeo Villarante was vice chair of the committee on laws.

Councilor Valeriano Ylanan, a member of the majority, asked why he did not get a committee to head, but Bucao clarified that the committee assignments were a decision of the majority.

“We took a vote last Saturday during our party caucus. And I let the majority decide which committee they would like to chair. There was also a votation during our caucus last Monday. And nobody voted for Ylanan to get the remaining four committee chairmanships” said Bucao.