Council defers consultants' hiring

CEBU, Philippines -  Raising questions about competence, the Talisay City Council has put on hold the hiring of consultants on political and barangay affairs by Mayor Johnny De los Reyes.

The legislative body wanted to know if the consultants' qualifications would fit the job description.

Association of Barangay Council president Raul Cabañero, sitting as ex-officio member of the city council, questioned the hiring of Ulysses Julia as consultant on barangay affairs.

Cabañero was interested to know more on the function and job description of Julia being a consultant on barangay affairs, citing that he was not even a former barangay official.

In the meantime, the council has not raised any objections on the recommendation by the Bids and Awards Committee to hire Charles Basillote, the former president of the Association of Barangay, as consultant on political affairs.

But since Cabañero questioned the hiring of Julia, the hiring of Basillote as consultant on political affairs was also put on hold.

Vice Mayor Romeo Villarante, the council presiding officer, said he decidedly invited Basillote and Julia to the next session to convince the members of the council why they should be hired as consultants in the city.

"I reminded the councilors to stick with the principle that hiring consultants should be highly technical, something which the local government is not capable of doing by themselves," Villarante said.

If the council will approve their consultancy, they will be serving the city for the period of  six months.  (FREEMAN)