Cebu Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia was in a giving mood yesterday.Why not?The province was celebrating its 438th founding anniversary.
Garcia’s announcement about the release of P5,000 each to all Capitol employees as anniversary bonus was greeted with a resounding applause during the gathering at the Capitol Social Hall.
Some employees, specifically those from the top performing departments would even be getting more.
Cebu’s “new pride,” the inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), who are now international stars because of their popular video on YouTube, will also receive P1,000 each from the governor.
The governor however reminded the employees during the closing activity of the week-long celebration that they have to continue to perform their duties well.
Present at the Capitol Social Hall were department heads, employees and contingents from the different municipalities, who presented songs and dances.
In her 10-minute speech, Garcia recalled the time when she became the governor of Cebu three years ago.
“I remembered various problems and challenges I encountered, but those troubles were only a tip of an iceberg of what our ancestors came across in the past.”
Hitting Back
Garcia also hit back at her critics, who decried the transfer of inmates from the old Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC) along M. J. Cuenco Ave., Cebu City to its present site in barangay Kalunasan.
Garcia said that there was even a “sit-down protest” by several inmates and her critics also took the opportunity to malign her.
She said that she stood firm on her ground with the help of her brother, Bryron Garcia, who is the consultant on security.
Today, the governor said, the prison facility has become a “source of pride for Cebu and for our country.”
“I am now very thankful to all the inmates for supporting my administration by obeying all the policies and rules being implemented by the jail management,” said Garcia.
“They are bringing hope to Cebu and to the entire country. I hope they will continue with their laudable actions.”
The governor was referring to the popular dance performance of the inmates, which has caught international via the Internet.
Selected inmates from the CPDRC even performed their famous dance number in front of the Capitol building as part of yesterday’s activities.
Warning To Employees
Garcia warned Capitol workers who continue to do their work sloppily that their days are numbered.
She said that she is not yet done evaluating the employees.Those who have already been found inefficient have even been deployed to do gardening work under the Provincial Agriculturist’s Office.
The governor said that more employees will be sent to this assignment if they find more of them who need to do such things to help them shape up.
She also took the opportunity to decry those workers who leaked documents, which have been used by her critics to file charges against her.
More Incentives
If the poor performers are punished, those who do well also received more benefits.
Garcia surprised the Capitol workers with the announcement of the five best performing departments for the past two years.
The governor said the departments were evaluated based on their performances from January to December, 2006 and January to June, this year.
Each of the department employees will receive additional bonus ranging from P1,000 to P5,000 on top of the anniversary bonus.
The Provincial Health Office is the best performing department. Its employees will also receive P5, 000 each.
The second and third ranked departments were the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office and Provincial Engineer’s Office whose employees will receive P4,000 and P3,000 each, respectively.
Employees from the Provincial Administrator’s Office and Provincial Treasurer’s Office will be richer by P2,000 and P1,000, respectively.—(/NLQ)