Typhoon brings truce to mayor, fire chief

CEBU, Philippines - Following last Thursday afternoon’s standoff between the city’s demolition team and staff members of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama finally allowed the latter to co-exist with the Cebu City Medical Center personnel until the typhoon is over.

Rama however did not allow the fire department to use the four rooms sought by BFP-7 director Ma. Luisa Hadjula for its quick response and rescue teams. According to Rama, the rooms are being utilized as admin office, central supply and linen section, medical records and hospital chief’s office of the CCMC. Rama only allowed the BFP to use the conference room.

A commotion erupted last Thursday when Rama insisted for BFP to temporarily transfer to Cebu City Sports Complex to give way to the CCMC.

The CCMC building was declared unsafe by the city’s structural engineers and private sectors’ engineers after the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Bohol and Cebu last October 15.

When city attorney Jerone Castillo sent a letter to Hadjula on Thursday requesting her to move out with her staff to the sports complex “in the interest of public service,” the latter declined.

This, prompted Rama to order Raquel Arce, Probe chief, to “remove all items surreptitiously and forcibly moved in by Hadjula and her staff and to transfer the same to Cebu City Sports complex.”

The BFP-7 threatens to press charges against the city government following the commotion which allegedly resulted in the injuries of several female fire personnel.

Hadjula said they will also file administrative and disbarment cases against Rama before the office of the Ombudsman and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, respectively.

“Yes, we will have legal remedies. Hinila, sinaktan at trinato kami na parang hayop at basura. Marami ang nasaktan na babae na staff ko dahil sa commotion, “Hadjula said.

“Inapakan nila ang aming karapatan bilang tao, bilang public servant. Nakakalungkot isipin na ang ginawa ni Mayor Rama ay hindi makatao,” Hadjula continued.

Rama yesterday called the executive assistant of President Benigno Aquino III to inform about the said commotion. Rama however said he will allow himself  to be distracted by the threats as of the moment because of the huge calamity that the city is facing because of the super typhoon.

“I don’t want to be disturbed about that (cases) since we still have a calamity, so leave it to my lawyer,” Rama said.

But Rama said he did not do anything wrong with regards to his order because he only exercised his “police power and the promotion of general welfare clause.”

He quoted section 455 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines which provides that “the mayor can perform or do such emergency measures as may be necessary during and in the aftermath of man made and natural disaster and calamities.”

Meanwhile, CCMC has already resumed its admission on Thursday after two weeks of not accepting patients due to the aftermath of  the quake.

Dr. Pilar Duterte, hospital chief, said they are only accepting minor cases as of the moment considering the situation of the temporary hospital.

Seven patients were admitted yesterday and one patient underwent a minor surgery. â€”/FPL (FREEMAN)