Finance chief picks new city treasurer

CEBU, Philippines - Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima has chosen a new treasurer for Cebu City.

But Mayor Michael Rama said yesterday the secretary did not disclose the name just yet. Purisima reportedly called him and merely informed him he has made his choice.

Rama earlier endorsed former Cebu City Treasurer Ofelia Oliva; her son, Mandaue city Treasurer Regal Oliva; and Cebu City Accountant Diwa Cuevas.

"Wala lang 'sab ko mangutana kon kinsa (I did not ask him who it is)," Rama said.

Cuevas, for her part, said she would prefer to stay as city accountant. "Daghan pa kaayo og angay'ng tiwason pagtraho dinhi aron pagpa-improve sa Accounting Office (There are many things yet to be done to improve the accounting office)," she said.

Despite the lack of personnel, Cuevas said they managed to reduce the number of days needed to process documents for submission to the accounting department for pre-audit. 

Meanwhile, City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete said yesterday he is coordinating closely with Cuevas and the city treasurer in coming up with Supplemental Budget No. 2.

"Naa na ta'y nakit-an nga pundo mga around P300 million nga magamit sa Supplemental Budget (We have around P300 million that we can allocate for Supplemental Budget)," Poblete said.

Budget for fuel and budget for tipping fee for the private landfill in Consolacion would be prioritized in SB 2, he said.

General Service Office (GSO) head Rolando Ardoza earlier asked to include P45 million in the Supplemental Budget for fuel because the existing supply will only last until the end of September.

Meanwhile, Department of Public Services (DPS) head Dionesio Gualiza also recommended an additional P40 million to be used to pay for a private landfill in Consolacion because the P30 million budget had already run out. Cebu City is paying P700 for every ton of garbage brought to the private landfill. About 300 tons of garbage is collected in the city everyday. — /JMO  (FREEMAN)