Rama hires consultant that Tomas "fired"

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama hired a City Hall consultant who was fired by former mayor and now Rep. Tomas Osmeña.

That, as the Cebu City Council during yesterday’s session rejected Human Resource and Development Office OIC Mary Ann Suson and confirmed the appointment of Engineer Kenneth Enriquez as head of the Department of Engineering and Public Works and Dr. Stella Ygoña as head of the City Health Department.

Rama wants to enter into a contract of service with Engr. Rogelio Serato as consultant for structural engineering of the Department of Engineering and Public Works.

Serato will be hired for six months from January to June with a monthly compensation of P18,000.

“For nine months I was ousted, now I’m found,” Serato told the members of the council.

Councilor Augustus “Jun” Pe Jr. sponsored the resolution authorizing Rama to enter into a contract with Serato.

But Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, moved for a one-week deferment of the Council approval of Serato’s hiring.

The deferment was in relation to the aftermath of the April 7-construction accident where a firewall collapsed, killing five workers in barangay Tisa.

Cabarrubias asked whether Serato is the same person fired by the former mayor.

Serato, who was present at the session, confirmed Osmeña fired him after the April 7-accident.

Serato told the Council he was fired because Osmeña wasn’t satisfied with his recommendations in the case involving the construction of the Gaisano Capitol Mall building.

“The (former) mayor did not like my report,” Serato said. But he insisted that when he went to the site for inspection, the area was already clear and the damage area was already removed.

Pe said the hiring of a consultant is the prerogative of the mayor and that the council only concurs for its approval.

As consultant for structural engineering, Serato will evaluate the structural integrity of existing buildings. He will also be responsible for the conduct of on-site inspections and evaluations of projects and perform other duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the mayor in relation to structural concerns.

On the rejection of Suson’s appointment, Councilor Sisinio Andales, chairman of the committee on labor and employment, said the council could not approve Suson’s appointment because she has been in the HRDO for only six months, thus, she lacks experience.

“We cannot confirm the appointment of Suson, she is being new to the department. As a matter of fact, she has been with the department for six months. She can, however, continue in acting capacity,” Andales said.

The Council approved Enriquez’s appointment because he has been with DEPW since 2005. Enriquez also became the OIC of DEPW for several times until the Rama decided to appoint him department head.

Ygoña, on the other hand, has been with the CHD for 14 years. She has also held the position in an acting capacity from 2000 to 2004.

Suson was previously assigned at the City Legal Office before Rama transferred her to the HRDO as acting chief.

Suson first worked at City Hall in 2009 at the City Legal Office but before working in the government, she was an HR practitioner in a private company since she graduated in 2001.

The appointment of department heads needs concurrence from the Council, according to the Local Government Code.

Councilor Edgardo Labella said that there is no hard and fast rule when appointing a person as head of any department.

But he said that Suson’s being new to the job is the sentiment of all councilors because they believe that the HRDO needs somebody more experienced.

 Engineer Eugene Elizalde, chairman of the Personnel Selection Board, said he does not know exactly the sentiment of the Council but under the PSB Merit Selection Plan, when the city opens the position, even outside applicants are considered.

Meaning, the applicant does not need to be working for a long period of time before she gets the position.

Last Month, the Council hit Suson for conducting a personnel audit ordered by the mayor. One councilor chided Suson and accused her of interfering with the affairs of the legislative department. (FREEMAN)