Garcia approves release of Tudela employees' salaries

CEBU - After almost two months of waiting, officials and employees of Tudela town in Camotes Island will finally receive their salaries.

This after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday agreed to sign the voucher for the payroll for the release of salaries of the town’s employees and officials.

According to Vice Mayor Clint Maratas, their workers and officials have not been receiving their salaries since October. The total amount for the salaries of the employees has reached P600, 000 per month.

“Nagpuasa gyud mi,” Maratas told reporters before their meeting with Garcia at the Capitol’s conference room yesterday.

The governor had a meeting with officials of Tudela, provincial treasurer Roy Salubre and Land Bank assistant manager Llewylyn Cavite to discuss on issues over the delayed release of the salaries of the town workers and employees.

In an interview with reporters after the meeting, Garcia clarified that she would only sign vouchers for personal services and maintenance and other operating expenses of the town government.

The Land Bank of the Philippines had refused to release the salaries because it does not want to be caught in the crossfire because there are two persons claiming to be the mayor of the town.

During their meeting, Baquerfo reportedly refused to allow the governor to sign the voucher, invoking his current position as the legitimate mayor. Garcia said that even if Baquerfo refused to abide by their agreement, she said would still invoke her power as the Province’s chief executive because “Tudela is still under the general supervision and control of the Province of Cebu.” — Garry B. Lao/WAB (THE FREEMAN)