ILOILO City – A proposal by Vice Mayor Lady Julie Grace “Love-Love” Baronda to institutionalize the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s (SP) official logo and communication protocols stalled on first reading. The Iloilo City Council refused to act on it citing the lack of attachments, effectively shelving the measure until the attachments are produced.
Despite Baronda’s insistence that the ordinance was necessary for compliance with Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) requirements, the proposal failed to advance when no councilor seconded her motion for approval, halting deliberation altogether.
During her presentation, Baronda stressed that formal recognition of the logo the council has long been using is mandated by national guidelines.
“This is a requirement of the DILG. There must be a resolution or ordinance recognizing the official logo of the SP. This is also part of the basis for rating the council’s performance,” she said.
She added that adopting a uniform office address and communication channels would eliminate inconsistencies in official documents.
“This ensures clarity in documents, clarity in communications, and removes confusion about what the official representation of the SP is,” Baronda noted.
But Majority Floor Leader Rex Marcus Sarabia said the proposal lacked the most essential component — the very logo it sought to institutionalize.
“We had reservations because the proposed ordinance did not include attachments. We could not see the exact logo or the specific details referred to in the ordinance. Documents must be clear and complete before we deliberate,” he explained.
He emphasized that measures involving government symbols require exactness: “When we talk about an official logo, it cannot be incomplete. It must be presentable, complete, and ready for scrutiny.”
Councilor Jose Maria Dela Llana likewise questioned the practicality of passing such a measure now, suggesting the council had other legislative priorities.
Baronda responded that the logo referenced in the ordinance is already what the SP uses in practice.
“This is already the logo we use now. I simply want it officially recognized so all documents and correspondence are standardized,” she said, adding that the move merely aligns the council with compliance requirements.
A brief recess was called to resolve procedural questions. Afterward, Sarabia announced that the majority was open to considering a revised version.
“The Vice Mayor may reintroduce it. Once the attachments are complete and the title revised to comply with the rule that each ordinance must contain only one subject, the process will move more smoothly,” he said. Baronda welcomed the assurance.
“I am thankful for the commitment of the majority. At least it is clear they are open to it once I complete the required documents,” she said./PN
