Rama tells CDRRC execs to walkout

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has advised the officials of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction Council to walkout should the members of the city council insult them during their appearance on Wednesday.

 The city council has invited CDRRC head Cathy Yso and operations officer Alvin Santillana to appear at the council session to clarify some points on their proposed P202.1 million budget this year.

Rama said he will allow Yso and Santillana to attend the session but instructed them to walkout should they be scolded.

Rama gave the instruction through city administrator Jose Marie Poblete.

“Tan-awa kuno kon ready ba si Alvin nga makig-atubang didto nga dili kasab-an. Kon kasab-an gani, hala palakta dayon (Check if Alvin (Santillana) is ready to face without being scolded, If not tell him to walkout),” Rama instructed Poblete.

The mayor told Poblete to brief Santillana how he will answer questions from the councilors.

According to the mayor, some of his department heads have already experienced being berated by the city councilors while attending the session.

“Depende man kon ang ila is an inquiry just for them to be fully guided to help, then go. But kon ang invitation nila is just to embarrass, walk out dayon. Imagine, fear is already being done before and I don’t want that to happen again. Ako may mabasul ana nga akong gilawog ang akong mga tawo sa tirong,” Rama said.

Among the topics scheduled for discussion on Wednesday is the recommendation of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) to authorize the mayor to open a Letter of Credit with the Land Bank of the Philippines in favor of Kaiser Ag Fahrzeugwerk for the purchase of a P20.5 million multi-function walking excavator.

The “walking excavator” that the city government wants to buy will be used for dredging. The spider-like heavy machine is specifically designed for difficult applications. (FREEMAN)