Rama names new CH dep’t heads

CEBU, Philippines - Two more new department heads were announced yesterday by Mayor Michael Rama.

Rama named Dr. Pilar Romero as the incoming city veterinarian and Susan Ardosa as the new chief of the Department of Manpower Development and Placement (DMDP). Romero is the assistant department head of outgoing city veterinarian Dr. Alice Utlang.

Apart from this, the mayor also announced to retain Engr. Kenneth Enriquez as city engineer; Dr. Gloria Duterte as chief of the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC); Department of Public Services (DPS) chief Engr. Dionesio Gualiza; General Services Office (GSO) chief Engr. Rolando Ardosa; City Assessor Eustaquio Cesa; Nelfa Briones as city budget officer; Social Welfare Services chief Ester Concha, and City information office chief Florito “Carlo” Dugaduga.

Rama, however, declined to announce who will be his city treasurer saying “abangan” (watch out for it).

Outgoing city veterinarian Utlang said she has already expected this since Rama has earlier announced that those who did not support him during the elections will be replaced.

“Sakto gyud diay ko nga dili gyud iyaha serbisyo nga tinood. Kay gibase man gihapon sa politika,” Utlang told The Freeman.

She added that she will find ways to work even if not given specific task.

“Mangita kog trabahuonon uy. Aron dili sad ko maulaw nga magdawat og sweldo unya walay gibuhat. But Okay ra gyud nako kung i-detail ko sa agriculture kay didto man sad ko gikan nga trabaho,” she added.

Rama said he will meet with his department heads on Saturday, a day before his oathtaking on June 30.

Meanwhile, outgoing members of the 12th Cebu City council were honored yesterday during the council’s last session.

Councilors Alvin Dizon and Margot Osmeña, in a joint proposed resolution, cited the following councilors for their outstanding work in the council: Rodrigo Abellanosa, Raul Alcoseba, Ronald Cuenco, Jose Daluz III, Eduardo Rama, Edgardo Labella and Augustus Pe Jr, including Vice Mayor Joy Young.

Their many years of service to the Cebuanos has made Cebu “more participative, responsive, transparent and accountable” to its constituents. The resolution also said that these local legislators were “instrumental in passing progressive and people oriented legislations”.

The resolution, which was approved en masse, commended the said officials. Young, who is the presiding officer of the current council, also thanked  his colleagues in return before he adjourned the session.—(FREEMAN)