CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “Regulation must not come at the expense of compassion and participation.”
Thus, business leader and advocate for good governance Rene G. Romero grounded his “respectful opposition” to the proposed ordinance regulating feeding and medical missions in the city.
“Feeding programs and similar initiatives are fundamentally acts of goodwill. Regulating them through a rigid permit system may be seen as excessive and counterproductive,” he averred.
In a letter dated April 17 to the proponent councilor Noel Tulabut ahead of the April 21 scheduled public hearing on the ordinance, Romero exhorted the city government “to strive to create an environment where those who wish to help are encouraged, processes are simple and efficient, and government and civil society work hand in hand for the welfare of our people.”
“The present structure [of the proposed ordinance], particularly the mandatory permit requirement and the imposition of penalties for non-compliance, may inadvertently create barriers to the very groups that are helping the city address critical needs in nutrition, healthcare, and social welfare,” Romero wrote.
“The imposition of fines, even for procedural lapses, may discourage civic organizations, private donors, religious groups, and volunteers from conducting outreach activities within the city,” he warned.
This, to great loss to the city and greater loss to the beneficiaries, given that said organizations “play a vital role in complementing government efforts.”
Romero also took exception to the red tape accruing in the proposed ordinance, citing requirements for “multiple documents, approvals, and advance submissions may not be practical” for outreach efforts that are often organized on short notice or depend on available donations.
“Instead of improving coordination, the ordinance may result in fewer outreach activities being conducted, thereby affecting beneficiaries who rely on these services,” Romero said.
Rather than a “permit-and-penalty system,” Romero urged the city to implement a coordination-based framework comprising “a simple notification system (in lieu of prior permit approval); deemed approval mechanism for timely action; removal of unnecessary certification requirements that may cause delays; automatic exemptions during emergencies; and emphasis on basic safety and sanitation standards.”
The business leader who also identifies himself as ‘Concerned Fernandino” called on the city to consider administrative or executive guidelines instead of a “highly punitive ordinance,” saying this would achieve the same objectives “with greater flexibility and ease of implementation.”
“It is important to recognize that the city government, while mandated to deliver social services, cannot do so alone. Civil society organizations and private sector partners are essential in bridging existing gaps,” he wrote, hence policies “should aim to encourage and enable participation, rather than create additional layers of compliance that may hinder it.”
Romero urged the sangguniang panlungsod to defer the ordinance for further review, citing the need for broader stakeholder consultation, legal and policy alignment, and refinement of provisions. Punto News Team
