City Admin to critics: Don’t make the iPad look bad

CEBU, Philippines -  â€œPlease don’t put a wrong thought on this initiative of  City Hall.”

This was the appeal of Cebu City Administrator Lucelle Mercado following negative reactions to the move of the city to subscribe to a data plan for its department heads.

The subscription, which costs the city P1.4 million, comes with it 30 units of iPad Air, which were distributed to the department heads the other day.

“People are just trying to put bad image into something very innocent,” Mercado said.

Mercado reiterated there is nothing irregular about the purchase because it is normal for the city government to provide its employees with technical support, especially if the same would make them more efficient in their work.

“Through this, we save so much time and efficiency. When I have something to settle with the department heads, I don’t have to ask them to come to my office anymore nor them na mutawag pa sa other departments. High tech na man kaha ‘ta karon, so let’s avail of what are the available means of communication,” Mercado said.

She clarified that the city did not have to pay any amount on top of the subscription fee because the units are already part of the package.

“Where did they get the figure? The City Hall does not spend a cent in addition for the phones. It’s just the line,” she said.

The iPad Air units, equipped with unlimited data service including 24-hour Internet connection for two years, comes free for every P2,000 monthly data plan offered by Smart Communications, which the city must pay for two years.

The amount will be charged against the General Services Office fund.

Aside from department heads, some units will also be distributed to the heads of the Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, the Market Division, the Protocol Office, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and to Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, among others.

Since they cannot own the gadget, those who will be provided with the iPad will have to return the same once they stop working for the city government.

Mercado admitted she was expecting criticisms considering that the city still have other financial obligations.

Mayor Michael Rama himself supports the subscription, saying this has long been planned and that in this time and age, city employees need mobile connectivity “to become more productive.” — /JMO (FREEMAN)