Rama wants to revoke contract with blue guards

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama wants the city’s contract with Care Best International Security Services be revoked following the recent incident of burglary in a city councilor’s office.

Rama yesterday ordered the City Legal Office to find ways to revoke the contract, which is supposed to end on December yet.

The mayor was apparently unimpressed with the agency’s performance especially that the incident at Councilor Alvin Dizon’s Office is not the first burglary incident to happen under their watch.

At least three times this year, the latest of which was early this month, the Cebu City Postal Office located at the ground floor of the legislative building was also burglarized, taking away the office’s earnings.

Cebu City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said the city can revoke the contract anytime if there is sufficient ground for revocation.

He admitted that even before what happened to the office of Dizon, there had been moves to revoke the security agency’s contract because they received negative feedbacks.

A source from City Hall who refused to be identified said the agency is not providing benefits to their employees as what was agreed in the contract.

The source said the lack of benefits and proper compensation might have affected the performance of the security personnel.

Care Best International Security Services has been fielding security personnel to City Hall since January. There are about 20 guards assigned at City Hall and reporting to duty on shifting basis.

Poblete assured that before the contract is revoked, the company will undergo due process which includes giving them a chance to explain. —(FREEMAN)