Oliva to reshuffle staff members

CEBU, Philippines - Newly reinstated Cebu City Acting Treasurer Ofelia Oliva announced that she is planning to reshuffle her personnel so they would be more aggressive of their jobs.

Those who would not be able to comply with their assignments would be recommended for transfer.

Oliva issued the announcement when she resumed as head of the Cebu City Treasurer’s Office yesterday. Bureau of Local Government-Finance (BLGF)-7 Director Carmelane Tugas has designated her to replace Tessie Camarillo whose six months term as officer-in-charge lapsed last January 15.

Oliva also asks officials of both executive and the legislative branches of the city to unite with one another for the good of the constituents. More projects can be implemented, she said, when the city treasurer’s office can collect more taxes even without increasing tax rates.

Oliva has been Mayor Michael Rama’s financial adviser particularly during the drafting of the proposed P11.8 billion budget for this year that was slashed by the City Council to only P5.2 billion.

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young and Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña chose not to make any comment about Oliva being back as city treasurer. It was Osmeña who asked the Department of Finance to replace Oliva as treasurer last year.

When The Freeman asked Oliva whether she can raise the projected P11.8 billion revenue collection this year, she replied, “Why not, if all of the city officials and employees will help?”

According to Oliva, she will intensify the reclassification or validation of real property units (RPUs) and business establishments so that the proper amount of taxes can be collected from the concerned establishments.

Oliva believes that some taxpayers lie in the declaration of their annual income or are using their properties contrary to what is provided in their tax declaration to pay lesser amount of taxes.

As of yesterday, Oliva decided not to sign any document yet because a formal turnover from Camarillo has yet to be made, although she already entertained treasury-related matters yesterday. – (FREEMAN)