CEBU, Philippines - A day in office as the Cebu provincial treasurer and Ofelia Oliva is already optimistic she can increase the revenues of the Capitol.
At the Cebu City Hall, Mayor Michael Rama said Oliva will still be the city’s adviser on financial matters despite her appointment for one month at the Capitol.
Yesterday morning, Oliva met with all personnel of the Provincial Treasurer’s office and she briefed them on all her policies.
Oliva, former Cebu city treasurer, stressed to her staff how she will be strict on revenue collection and how she will impose revenue targets for each personnel even though they are not collectors.
She also confirmed that she will be bringing to the Provincial Treasurer’s office the trend of the dancing collectors she started in the City Hall.
Oliva even gave a short sample yesterday with her new staff who were more than eager to participate. Oliva also wants to include the municipal treasurers and tap the world-renowned dancing inmates of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.
According to her, the dancing collectors were effective in increasing the collections of the city. She is optimistic that this is possible for the Capitol, which she said has a potential of earning P5 billion.
According to the reports extended to Oliva, Capitol revenues collected in 2011 was P1.8 billion which increased to P2 billion the following year. She said this can possibly double in 2014.
“We can collect that much.â€
She added that through monthly activities apart from dancing collectors, they can manage the target of P5 billion.
During their meeting yesterday, Oliva told all personnel of the Provincial Treasurer’s office that if they are not in favor of her programs and management, they can ask Governor-elect Hilario “Junjun†Davide III for them to be detailed to another office.
“Those who don’t like me, after this meeting may make a graceful exit and may request for the governor na magpa-reassign.â€
But Oliva said all were supportive and assured her they would participate in her programs.
Oliva will be waiting for written reports and assessment from employees on their respective coverage of operations including financial performance, how collection was made and how it was authenticated to assure that the amount collected was correct.
Through this, Oliva said she would know how much money is in the banks and book.
“I will not sign any document unless I can see how much we have in the bank and in the treasury.â€
Further, she said she has requested the bank already for her to be a signatory of the Province and that she has submitted all the requirements needed. She explained that she would need to make sure of her fidelity bond first before signing any documents.
Oliva will be the OIC of the Provincial Treasurer’s office for one month following the order of the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF).
She denied that she was assigned there on a request by a politician, stating that she is non-partisan and regardless of how many chief executives she has been assigned to work with, Oliva stressed that she does not take sides.
“I am a career person. I will never compromise my career for politics.â€
Mayor Rama sees no conflict either with Oliva’s new post and that of being City Hall adviser.
“Way gihinganlan nga conflict or whatsoever, wa man nato na giundang na iyang pagka-adviser, †Rama said.
Oliva is not receiving any compensation for her extra work in the City treasury although she has been issued a government-owned vehicle.
Oliva started her service at the City in 2009 and was relieved as treasurer July last year. It was during her time when the City was known for its dancing taxpayers.
Rama favored the performance of Oliva, especially during her term as treasurer because it raised the revenue collection of the City. – with Annie Fe Perez /JPM (FREEMAN)