City PIO ready to explain

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Public Information Officer (PIO) Florito “Carlo” Dugaduga is willing to appear before the Council to explain that the daily press briefing of the department heads is not intended to put the legislative department in bad light.

 “Andam ug gusto g’yud kaayo ko nga moatubang sa mga halandong konsehal sa atong dakbayan apan kay ubos man ako sa mayor, mananghid ko kon tugotan ba ako nga moatubang sa konseho kon makadawat na ako og imbitas-yon,” Dugaduga told The FREEMAN yesterday. (I am very ready and willing to face the honorable councilors of our city but since I am under the mayor’s office, I would have to ask permission if he will allow me to appear before the council once I receive an invitation.)

Vice Mayor Joy Augustus Young and Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña had observed that the news reports in broadcast and print media taken from the press briefings were all bad news for the Council because the department heads discussed about the bad effects of the slashed budget.

This prompted them to invite the concerned department heads, particularly when City Health Officer Stella Ygoña was quoted by The FREEMAN when she said that the city may experience a “health crisis” because the Council approved only P139 million of their P278 million proposed budget.

Ygoña, however, retracted her statement when grilled by the city legislators.

Department of Public Services (DPS) head Dionesio Gualiza will also appear at the council Wednesday next week because of his statement that his office could no longer attend to repairs of barangay garbage trucks because of the lack of budget.

Councilor Richard “Ritchie” Osmeña gathered documents regarding some purchases of vehicle spare parts that were allegedly overpriced.

Dugaduga explained that when they presented department heads to the media, they don’t tell the reporters what to ask and how to write their stories.

“Ang among policy sa City Hall nga ang mga department head mohatag og mid-year accomplishment ug year-end accomplishments ingon man ang ilang plans and programs. Motubag ra usab sila kon pangutan-on,” Dugaduga said. (Our policy at City Hall is that department heads will submit mid-year and year-end accomplishment reports as well as their plans and programs. They will just answer when asked.) (FREEMAN)