Cebu City Council renews Alvin’s stint as Rama adviser

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council yesterday approved the renewal of former mayor Alvin Garcia and that of 10 others as Mayor Michael Rama’s consultants.

Garcia’s appointment, however, was accepted only after passing the scrutiny of some members who are allies of opposition group Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan.

Garcia, who was Cebu City mayor from 1995 to 2001, served as consultant for the Waterfront Development Commission (WDC) under the office of the mayor.

“Is this (WDC) functional?” asked City Councilor Margarita Osmeña, who heads the committee on budget and finance.

City Councilor Sisinio Andales also had his doubts on the existence of the commission.

City Councilor Mary Ann delos Santos, however, answered that WDC exists and that it is headed by Rama, who is represented by architect Joy Martinez.

City Councilor Noel Wenceslao also told colleagues that the commission was created by virtue of a city ordinance, which Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said has not yet been repealed since.

Garcia’s appointment was approved only after Osmeña made a corollary motion requesting the mayor’s office to furnish the council a report describing the functions and accomplishments of the commission and including the names of WDC’s members.

The council also asked for a report on the plans of the said commission.

Garcia and the others whose consultancy appointments were renewed up to June 30, 2014 will each receive a monthly remuneration of P18,000.

The council, however, deferred for a week renewal of the appointment of Crispin Torres Jr. as Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor and Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enhancement consultant.

The council likewise arranged for an executive session with Ida Yting, the city scholarship program consultant, after the body did not renew her contract.

This was after City Councilor Gerardo Carillo said he heard reports that Yting’s office allegedly is the one that determines what college course a city scholar should take.

“We should not intervene in the aspiration and dreams of the students,” Carillo said. —(FREEMAN)